FOSTER
To encourage the development or growth of something.
Other meanings and uses
- To care for a child temporarily without being the legal parent.
- To promote a friendly or productive condition.
- A person who provides temporary parental care.
Definitions of the day · 2026-08-12
August 12, 2026 Connections Board Word Definitions
Plain-language meanings for every board entry, kept in the original order and separated from puzzle answers.
Open the dated hints and answers →Definitions of the day · 2026-08-12
All 16 words, explained without the answers.
Use this spoiler-safe utility to understand unfamiliar board words without exposing the puzzle's categories, groupings or answer relationships. Each entry stays exactly as printed.
HARBOR
A sheltered body of water where ships can anchor safely.
Other meanings and uses
- A place that provides shelter or refuge.
- To give shelter to a person or thing.
- To keep a thought, feeling or belief privately.
MAINTAIN
To keep something in an existing condition or state.
Other meanings and uses
- To continue to have or possess something.
- To keep equipment or property in working order.
- To state or defend an opinion.
NURSE
A trained health professional who cares for patients.
Other meanings and uses
- To care for someone who is ill or injured.
- To feed a baby with milk from the breast.
- To tend something carefully while it develops.
BULL
An adult male bovine animal, especially a cattle male.
Other meanings and uses
- A male elephant, whale or other large animal.
- A person who expects prices to rise in a market.
- Nonsense or insincere talk.
- To make an exaggerated or false claim.
GREEN
The color between blue and yellow in the visible spectrum.
Other meanings and uses
- Covered with or relating to living vegetation.
- Inexperienced or not fully trained.
- Concerned with environmental protection.
- A grassy area, especially on a golf course.
POISON DART
A small dart coated with a toxic substance for hunting.
Other meanings and uses
- A short projectile designed to deliver poison.
- A term used for certain brightly colored darts.
- A phrase describing a toxic projectile rather than an ordinary arrow.
TREE
A woody plant with a trunk, branches and leaves.
Other meanings and uses
- A diagram showing branches of related items.
- To remove unwanted growth from a plant.
- A hierarchical structure in computing or mathematics.
BENES
A family name used by people whose surname is Benes.
Other meanings and uses
- A plural form used for more than one person named Benes.
- A spelling of a surname found in Central European naming traditions.
BING
A search engine and web service operated by Microsoft.
Other meanings and uses
- A heap or pile, especially of mining spoil.
- A sudden sharp ringing or resonant sound.
- To make a short ringing sound.
LEMON
A yellow citrus fruit with acidic juice and a tart flavor.
Other meanings and uses
- The small evergreen tree that produces the fruit.
- A defective or unsatisfactory product.
- A pale yellow color.
SCOTT
A personal or family name of Scottish origin.
Other meanings and uses
- A person from Scotland, especially in historical usage.
- A given name used for people of any nationality.
- A surname used by many unrelated families.
FINE PRINT
Small writing containing details or conditions in a document.
Other meanings and uses
- Less prominent contractual terms.
- Information printed in unusually small type.
- Detailed qualifications attached to an offer.
GOODBYE
A word used when leaving or ending a conversation.
Other meanings and uses
- An expression used to say farewell.
- A departure or parting from someone.
- A word used to mark the end of contact.
GREAT WHITE
A large predatory shark found in oceans worldwide.
Other meanings and uses
- A shortened name for the great white shark.
- A very large white object or animal in descriptive use.
- A phrase referring to something notable for size and whiteness.
OKAYAMA
A city in southwestern Japan and the capital of its prefecture.
Other meanings and uses
- The name of a Japanese prefecture.
- A geographic region in western Japan.
- A place name used for local institutions and businesses.