a ‧ dopt S3 W2 /əˈdɒpt $ əˈdɑːpt/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: French ; Origin: adopter , from Latin adoptare , from ad- 'to' + optare 'to choose' ]
1 . CHILD [I, T] to take someone else’s child into your home and legally become its parent ⇨ foster :
Sally was adopted when she was four.
The couple are unable to have children of their own, but hope to adopt.
2 . adopt an approach/policy/attitude etc to start to deal with or think about something in a particular way:
The courts were asked to adopt a more flexible approach to young offenders.
The store recently adopted a drug testing policy for all new employees.
California has adopted a tough stance on the issue.
3 . STYLE/MANNER [transitive] to use a particular style of speaking, writing, or behaving, especially one that you do not usually use:
Kim adopts a southern accent when speaking to family back home.
4 . LAW/RULE [transitive] to formally approve a proposal, ↑ amendment etc, especially by voting:
Congress finally adopted the law after a two-year debate.
5 . NAME/COUNTRY ETC [transitive] to choose a new name, country, custom etc, especially to replace a previous one:
Stevens became a Muslim and adopted the name Yusuf Islam.
Becoming a member of a society means adopting its values.
6 . ELECTION [transitive] British English to officially choose someone to represent a political party in an election
—adopter noun [countable]
—adoptee /əˌdɒpˈtiː $ əˌdɑːp-/ noun [countable]