Definition of foster

Email this page to a friend

< fossorial

Foster, Stephen Collins >

fos·ter    (fôstr, fstr) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
fos·tered, fos·ter·ing, fos·ters

1. To bring up; nurture: bear and foster offspring. See Synonyms at nurture.
2. To promote the growth and development of; cultivate: detect and foster artistic talent. See Synonyms at advance.
3. To nurse; cherish: foster a secret hope.

ADJECTIVE:

1. Providing parental care and nurture to children not related through legal or blood ties: foster parents; foster grandparents; a foster home.
2. Receiving parental care and nurture from those not related to one through legal or blood ties: foster children.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English fostren, from Old English *fstrian, to nourish, from fstor, food, nourishing; see p- in Indo-European roots