verb
foster
FOS-tuh
verb
1
To raise or care for a child who is not biologically one's own.
"They've fostered several children over the years."
2
To help something grow or develop, such as a skill, relationship, or idea.
"The teacher tried to foster a love of reading in her students."
"The program fosters cooperation between local businesses."
adj
1
Describing a family relationship based on care rather than blood, as in foster parent or foster child.
"She grew up in a loving foster family."
How to Use Foster
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo care for and help someone or something grow, whether a child or an idea.
Common pairings
foster care
foster parent
foster growth
foster a relationship
Word Forms
fostered past tense, fosters plural, fosters plural, fosters singular
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Etymology
From Old English fostor, "food, nourishment" — the idea of feeding and raising broadened into the modern sense of caring for someone.