foster father

American

noun

a man who takes the place of a father in raising a child.

foster father British

noun

a man who looks after or brings up a child or children as a father, in place of the natural or adoptive father

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of foster father

before 900; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“You have to be part of the real world, Danny,” his foster father said, deep lines crinkling his freckled brow.

From Literature

Busayo Cole, who was once a Christian and had a foster father who was an Anglican bishop, said his family is indifferent about his religious status.

From Seattle Times

He in effect becomes her foster father, but never in official terms, which raises one teacher’s suspicion.

From New York Times

After reconciling with his foster father, he reported for duty on July 1, 1830, at the military academy overlooking the Hudson River.

From Washington Post

His foster father, who was Scottish, longed for his homeland, and at night tears came to his eyes as he sang ballads around the family’s organ.

From New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023