Adopting

/əˈdɒptɪŋ/

Definitions

  1. (v. (gerund)) The act of legally taking another's child into one's family as a parent.
    The adopting of the child was finalized in court last month.
  2. (v. (gerund)) The act of formally accepting or initiating a law, policy, or legal document.
    The adopting of the new regulations followed extensive debate.

Forms

  • adopt
  • adopts
  • adopted

Commentary

'Adopting' as a gerund is used primarily in family law contexts and legislative or policy contexts; distinguishing these uses is key in drafting to ensure clarity.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

Draft confidently with Amicus

Create, negotiate, and sign agreements in one secure workspace—invite collaborators, track revisions, and keep audit-ready records automatically.

Open the Amicus app