Definition of "adopt"

To take (a child, heir, friend, citizen, etc.) by choice into a relationship.

1. To take voluntarily (a child of other parents) to be in the place of, or as, one's own child.  examples

2. To obtain (a pet) from a shelter or the wild.  examples

3. To take by choice into the scope of one's responsibility.  quotations  examples

To take or receive as one's own what is not so naturally.  quotations  examples

To select and take or approve.  quotations  examples

(chess, slang) To beat an opponent ten times in a row.  quotations