foster mother

American

noun

a woman who takes the place of a mother in raising a child.
a nurse.

foster mother British

noun

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

"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 mother

before 1000; 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.

His foster mother must’ve been in there because the curtains were spread open and let in the orange glow of sunrise.

From Literature

Outside court, Leo Ross's foster mother held a picture of him as Davenport read a statement on their behalf.

From BBC

As Laura, the foster mother in “Bring Her Back,” Ms. Hawkins turns the smile up to terrifying.

From The Wall Street Journal

While legal custody stayed with Sovann Komar and the foster mothers received a salary and allowances, they were encouraged to treat the children as their own.

From The Wall Street Journal

His foster mother encouraged him to go out to dances.

From BBC

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