adoption
adoption — noun
1. the legal process by which an adult becomes the parent of a child who was not bo
the legal process by which an adult becomes the parent of a child who was not born to them, taking on full responsibility for raising that child.
Wren and Daniel began the adoption process after waiting six years for a baby.
noun phrase: the adoption process
The judge approved the adoption of three siblings by a single foster mother.
pattern: adoption of [child] by [parent]
International adoption from South Korea has fallen sharply over the last decade.
Beatriz learned about her adoption when she turned eighteen and asked to see her birth records.
The agency arranges open adoptions, where birth parents can stay in contact with the child.
- fostering
temporary, not legally permanent like adoption
- guardianship
legal care without becoming the parent
文法句型
adoption of [child]
adoption by [parent/family]
用法筆記
Often appears in fixed phrases such as 'adoption agency', 'adoption papers', and 'put a child up for adoption'. Distinguish from sense 2 (adoption of an idea or method): sense 1 is restricted to legally taking in a child.
常見錯誤
2. the moment when a group, company, or government starts putting a new method, ide
the moment when a group, company, or government starts putting a new method, idea, or technology into regular practice, or formally agrees to follow a plan or rule.
The hospital's adoption of electronic records cut waiting times by almost half.
pattern: adoption of [technology]
Widespread adoption of solar panels has lowered energy bills across rural villages in India.
collocation: widespread adoption
Parliament voted on the adoption of the new tax law just before midnight.
Slow adoption of the safety guidelines worried the factory inspectors.
Early adoption of the chat app among teenagers helped it spread to other age groups.
- implementation
stresses putting a plan into action
- uptake
informal; how widely something is taken up by users
- embrace
more emotional, suggests enthusiasm
- rejection
refusing to use or accept something
文法句型
adoption of [method/policy/technology]
[wide/widespread] adoption
用法筆記
Subject is usually an institution, government, industry, or large group, not a single individual. Frequently modified by adverbs of speed or scale: 'rapid', 'slow', 'wide', 'widespread', 'mass'. Distinguish from sense 3 (CHOOSING): sense 2 emphasises putting something into practical use, while sense 3 emphasises selecting it as one's own.
常見錯誤
3. deciding to take on something as personally yours — for example a new name, a st
deciding to take on something as personally yours — for example a new name, a style of dress, a religion, or a person you back as your election candidate.
Her adoption of the surname Park surprised her colleagues at the bank.
pattern: adoption of [name]
The artist's adoption of bright colours marked a clear break from his earlier work.
pattern: adoption of [style]
His adoption as the party's candidate for the northern seat was confirmed last night.
The author's adoption of a male pen name helped her novels reach a wider audience in 1880.
The young monk's adoption of a vow of silence shocked his family back home.
- embracing
warmer, suggests willing acceptance
- assumption
formal; especially of a name, role, or identity
- selection
neutral; emphasises the choice rather than ownership
- abandonment
giving up something previously chosen
文法句型
adoption of [name/style/identity]
adoption as [a candidate]
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'of' + an abstract noun (a name, an identity, a style, a vow, a faith). The candidate-selection use ('adoption as candidate') is common in British political reporting and rare elsewhere. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 3 is about taking something on as personally yours, not about putting a system into practice.