Definition of "foster" in English

adjective

1. Providing parental care to children not related to oneself.

   • foster parents

2. Receiving such care.

   • a foster child

3. Related by such care.

   • We are a foster family.

noun

1. (countable, informal) A foster parent.

   • Some fosters end up adopting.

2. (uncountable) The care given to another; guardianship.

verb

1. (transitive) To nurture or bring up offspring, or to provide similar parental care to an unrelated child.

2. (transitive) To promote the development of something; to cultivate and grow a thing.

   • Our company fosters an appreciation for the arts.

3. (transitive) To nurse or cherish something.

4. (intransitive, obsolete) To be nurtured or trained up together.

noun

1. (obsolete) A forester.