WordWeb Online

1. Encouragement; aiding the development of something
   - fosterage
    
2. Helping someone grow up to be an accepted member of the community
   "they debated whether nature or fostering was more important";
   - breeding, bringing up, fosterage, nurture, raising, rearing, upbringing

1. Promote the growth of
   "Foster our children's well-being and education";
   - further
    
2. Bring up under fosterage; of children
    
3. Help develop, help grow
   "foster his talents";
   - nurture

Derived forms: fosterings

Type of: acculturation, advance, boost, bring up, encourage, encouragement, enculturation, further, nurture, parent, promote, raise, rear, socialisation [Brit], socialization

Encyclopedia: Fostering