paternal
adjective
pa·ter·nal
pə-ˈtər-nᵊl 
1
a
: of or relating to a father
offered his children some paternal advice
paternal responsibilities
b
: like that of a father
paternal benevolence
2
: received or inherited from one's male parent
lived and worked on his paternal farm
3
: related through one's father
paternal grandfather
Examples of paternal in a Sentence
He did not neglect his paternal responsibilities after the divorce.
Recent Examples on the Web
When her grandmother isn’t available, Josephine’s paternal grandmother steps in — though this means extra transport costs and longer trips home.
—
Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
This paternal land of mine, Jamaica, the one that birthed my great-grandfather’s dreams, also shaped his experiences with discrimination in medicine, from the battlefields to the doors of medical institutions that slammed shut.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
The research identified themes related to identity development, family relationships, paternal involvement, sibling dynamics, and the lasting influence these experiences can have throughout adulthood.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
In 2019 Jakes launched Jakes Divinity School, named for his paternal grandfather and namesake, Thomas Dexter Jakes.
—Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paternal
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
This paternal land of mine, Jamaica, the one that birthed my great-grandfather’s dreams, also shaped his experiences with discrimination in medicine, from the battlefields to the doors of medical institutions that slammed shut.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
The research identified themes related to identity development, family relationships, paternal involvement, sibling dynamics, and the lasting influence these experiences can have throughout adulthood.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
In 2019 Jakes launched Jakes Divinity School, named for his paternal grandfather and namesake, Thomas Dexter Jakes.
—Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paternal
Cite this Entry
“Paternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternal. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paternal
adjective
pa·ter·nal
pə-ˈtərn-ᵊl
1
: fatherly
paternal advice
2
: received or inherited from one's father
3
: related through the father
a paternal grandfather
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
