maternal

adjective

ma·​ter·​nal mə-ˈtər-nᵊl How to pronounce maternal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother : motherly
maternal love
maternal instincts
2
a
: related through a mother
his maternal aunt
b
: inherited or derived from the female parent
maternal genes
maternally adverb

Examples of maternal in a Sentence

Doctors are concerned about the effects of the drug on maternal health. her maternal instincts told her that something was wrong
Recent Examples on the Web For example, an AI application designed to monitor maternal health in rural areas should involve local healthcare providers and community leaders in its development. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024 Health care, too, was seen in terms of prescription costs, though the Black maternal health crisis was a major issue. Natasha Pearlman, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2024 Because the cubs were at least two years old, an age at which some modern big cats have already set out on their own, the work suggested that S. fatalis had a lengthy maternal care period. Katie Cottingham, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 The twins’ maternal grandmother also died in the airstrike. Chantelle Lee, TIME, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for maternal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'maternal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French maternel, from Medieval Latin maternalis, from Latin maternus, from mater mother — more at mother

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maternal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near maternal

Cite this Entry

“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

maternal

adjective
ma·​ter·​nal mə-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce maternal (audio)
1
: of or relating to a mother : motherly
2
a
: related through a mother
maternal grandparents
b
: obtained or received from a female parent
maternal chromosomes
maternally adverb
Etymology

Middle English maternal "maternal, of or like a mother," from early French maternel (same meaning), from Latin maternus "maternal," from mater "mother" — related to alma mater

Medical Definition

maternal

adjective
ma·​ter·​nal mə-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce maternal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother
maternal instinct
2
a
: related through a mother
his maternal aunt
b
: inherited or derived from the female parent
maternal genes
maternally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on maternal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!