1 : to take a child of other parents legally as your own child [no obj] ▪ They were unable to have children of their own, so they decided to adopt. [+ obj] ▪ They decided to adopt a child. ▪ He was adopted as an infant. 2 [+ obj] a : to begin to use or have (a different manner, method, etc.)
▪ Their boss has recently adopted a friendlier manner. [=has started behaving in a friendlier way] ▪ Did he adopt your point of view? ▪ We adopted some of the local customs.
b : to begin to use (a name that is not your real or original name)
▪ The author Samuel Clemens adopted the name “Mark Twain.”
c : to live in (a country that is not your original country) and regard it as your home
▪ He was born in England but he has adopted Canada as his home. 3 [+ obj] : to accept or approve (something, such as a proposal) in a formal or official way
▪ The assembly adopted a new constitution. ▪ The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate. 4 [+ obj] chiefly Brit : to select (someone) officially as a candidate
▪ The party adopted [=selected, chose] her as its candidate for mayor.