foster home: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal/Social Work, Common in journalism and everyday discussion of childcare.
Quick answer
What does “foster home” mean?
A private household in which a child is placed to be cared for on a temporary or long-term basis, supervised by social services, when they cannot live with their biological family.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A private household in which a child is placed to be cared for on a temporary or long-term basis, supervised by social services, when they cannot live with their biological family.
By extension, any temporary, supportive, or custodial environment. Can also refer informally to the family unit providing the care (the 'foster home' meaning the foster family itself).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Terminology is largely identical. The administrative systems (Local Authority vs. County/State agencies) differ, but the term 'foster home' is standard in both.
Connotations
Neutral in both, though can carry negative connotations associated with systemic failures or positive ones associated with caring families. No significant national variation in connotation.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “foster home” in a Sentence
[Child] was placed in a foster home.The [local authority] arranged a foster home for [the child].[They] grew up in a series of foster homes.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “foster home” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The agency will foster the child in a suitable home.
- They decided to foster after the training.
American English
- The state fostered the teenager out to a licensed home.
- They are licensed to foster up to three children.
adverb
British English
- (No direct adverbial form; 'foster' is not typically used as an adverb for 'home').
American English
- (No direct adverbial form; 'foster' is not typically used as an adverb for 'home').
adjective
British English
- He had a foster home placement last year.
- The foster home allowance was reviewed.
American English
- She is a foster home provider.
- They attended a foster home licensing workshop.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in sociology, social work, psychology, and legal studies discussing child welfare systems.
Everyday
Common in news reports and personal stories about child welfare.
Technical
Key term in social work and family law, with specific legal definitions regarding licensing and standards.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “foster home”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “foster home”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foster home”
- Using 'adoptive home' interchangeably (adoption is permanent). Confusing 'foster home' with 'children's home' or 'orphanage' (which are institutions).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An orphanage is a large residential institution for many children. A foster home is a private family household, usually caring for a small number of children, offering a more family-like environment.
Yes, single individuals can be licensed as foster carers and provide a foster home, provided they meet the stringent criteria set by the relevant child welfare authority.
'Foster care' is the overall system or the state of being in care. 'A foster home' is the specific physical and familial setting where that care is provided.
Typically, yes. Children in foster homes usually attend local mainstream schools unless they have special educational needs requiring alternative provision. Stability in education is a key goal.
A private household in which a child is placed to be cared for on a temporary or long-term basis, supervised by social services, when they cannot live with their biological family.
Foster home is usually formal/social work, common in journalism and everyday discussion of childcare. in register.
Foster home: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɒstə həʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːstər hoʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No specific idioms for 'foster home' as a fixed phrase.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FOSTER = For Others, Safe Temporary Environment & Refuge. A HOME provides it.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE STATE IS A PARENT (when the state places a child in a foster home, it is acting 'in loco parentis').
Practice
Quiz
What is the key distinction between a 'foster home' and an 'adoptive home'?