1. (

• fostering ,
• fosterage

) encouragement; aiding the development of something ;

2. (

• breeding ,
• bringing_up ,
• fostering ,
• fosterage ,
• nurture ,
• raising ,
• rearing ,
• upbringing

) helping someone grow up to be an accepted member of the community; "they debated whether nature or nurture was more important" ;

1. (

• foster ,
• further ,

) promote the growth of; "Foster our children's well-being and education" ;

2. (

• foster ,

) bring up under fosterage; of children ;

3. (

• foster ,
• nurture

) help develop, help grow; "nurture his talents" ;

1. (

• foster ,
• surrogate

) providing or receiving nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal ties; "foster parent"; "foster child"; "foster home"; "surrogate father" ;