fostering

1. 1
   verb

   Present participle of foster.

   The couple has been fostering teenagers for over a decade.

   Local programs aim at fostering cooperation between rival neighborhoods.

   Note

   The -ing form does double duty. In the progressive (has been fostering teenagers) it is plainly a verb, and as a gerund it still acts like one, taking a direct object with no of: fostering cooperation. Nearly every current sense of foster is transitive, so an object almost always follows. Once of appears, or a plural like fosterings, you have crossed into the nouns, the noun for encouragement and the noun for child-rearing.

2. 2
   noununcountable

   Encouragement and active support given to help something develop or grow.

   Like a gardener tending seedlings until they take root and flourish.

   The company's fostering of innovation helped it stay ahead of competitors.

   Her fostering of young talent earned the orchestra its reputation.

   Similarencouragement, promotion, cultivation, support

   Oppositesuppression, discouragement

3. 3
   noununcountable

   The raising of a person, especially a child, so that they become an accepted member of the community.

   Like grafting a young branch onto a tree until it grows as part of it.

   The fostering of the chieftain's son by a neighboring clan strengthened ties between them.

   Among the Gaels, fostering bound separate families together across generations.

   Similarfosterage, upbringing, rearing, raising

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