fostered

American  

[faw-sterd, fos-terd] / ˈfɔ stərd, ˈfɒs tərd /

adjective

1. promoted or cultivated.

   We need to cut through the deliberately fostered confusions that persist in the debate surrounding the referendum campaign.

   The two-acre garden displays six species of its independently fostered roses.

2. cared for as a foster child in the home of someone other than the natural or adoptive parents.

   In that jurisdiction, 17 percent of all fostered children aged 5 to 18 had been in the same placement for more than five years.

3. (of animals)

   1. cared for temporarily as a pet in a home until adoption can be arranged, often because medical care is required.

      Once recovered, the fostered dogs had a better chance of being adopted than healthy ones straight from the shelter.

   2. raised by other than its own biological parents.

      Two male penguins entrusted with the care of a fostered egg have welcomed a tiny penguin chick into the world.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of foster.

Other Word Forms

• unfostered adjective

Etymology

Origin of fostered

First recorded in 1580–90; foster ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; foster ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

His renown grew after the Everest climb and he fostered a close friendship with the Kennedy family.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

It fostered an unprecedented youth-mental-health crisis that’s still playing out today.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Through it all, Nvidia has fostered a devoted set of customers, just like Apple.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

It allowed IDF generals to put Centcom commanders—American generals who specialized in the threats Israel faces in the Middle East—on speed dial and fostered secret summits between Israeli and Arab military chiefs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

Mrs. Ortiz often fostered infants, so she spent many hours bottle-feeding them.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Related Words

• covered
• guaranteed
• guarded
• preserved
• secured
• sheltered