1
Encourage collaboration
Create conditions that help people work together and exchange ideas.
Example
The programme pairs researchers with mentors to foster collaboration across departments.
foster
/ˈfɒstə/ · FOS-tuhverb
To encourage or promote the development of something.
Use foster when an environment, policy, or action helps a beneficial quality, relationship, or process grow over time.
What foster Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Promote development
Support the gradual growth of a skill, quality, institution, or process.
Example
The curriculum is designed to foster independent reasoning.
3
Cultivate trust
Help a positive relationship or attitude become stronger over time.
Example
Open discussion can foster trust within a team.
Use foster Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Open discussion can foster trust within a team.
The programme pairs new researchers with mentors to foster collaboration across departments.
Protected nesting sites help foster the recovery of the seabird population.
Precision Matters
Foster overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
foster
vs.Often describes creating sustained conditions for gradual development.
encourage
Broadly means give support, confidence, or a reason to act.
foster
vs.Stresses nurturing growth over time.
promote
Can mean actively publicise, advance, or support something.
foster
vs.Helps a process or quality develop gradually.
induce
Directly causes a particular response or state.
foster
vs.Encourages development.
inhibit
Restrains, slows, or prevents development—the contrast.
Test foster in Context
The programme creates conditions that encourage cooperative work to develop.
1
By pairing new researchers with experienced mentors and funding joint projects, the programme aims to ___ collaboration across departments.