Surrogate

/ˈsɜːr.əˌɡeɪt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person or thing that acts or is designed to act in place of another.

She chose a surrogate to carry her baby when she could not conceive.

A substitute, especially a person appointed to act for another.

In the absence of the manager, his surrogate handled the meeting.

adjective

Serving as a substitute.

The surrogate mother provided the couple with the family they desired.

Late Latin surrogatus, past participle of surrogare, from sub- 'under' + rogare 'to ask'

surrogate mother

A woman who bears a child for another person or couple.

surrogate decision making

Making decisions on behalf of someone else, especially in medical situations.

surrogate marker

A substitute measure used to infer the presence or level of something.

substitution

The act of replacing one thing with another.

proxy

A person authorized to act for another.

replacement

A thing that takes the place of another.

A term for someone who is temporarily taking over someone else's responsibilities.

She was acting as a surrogate while her boss was on leave.

In some circles, it refers to someone who fills in during a friendship or a relationship.

After they broke up, he was just a surrogate for her loneliness.