maternal
adjective
ma·ter·nal
mə-ˈtər-nᵊl 
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
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
Expanding doula care, experts say, is a relatively inexpensive way to help reduce maternal mortality, which kills Black mothers like Stewart at a rate more than three times higher than white women.
—
Laura Ungar, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
In April, Care Ring will host its third annual maternal health conference that will connect families and nonprofits around the topic of addressing disparities.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
The North Dallas medical center will remain open, and the Addison facility now hosts a second medical clinic which offers primary care for all ages, as well as maternal health care.
—Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Chung’s Umma doesn’t take up a lot of room in the play, but her maternal presence registers sharply nonetheless.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Laura Ungar, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
In April, Care Ring will host its third annual maternal health conference that will connect families and nonprofits around the topic of addressing disparities.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
The North Dallas medical center will remain open, and the Addison facility now hosts a second medical clinic which offers primary care for all ages, as well as maternal health care.
—Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Chung’s Umma doesn’t take up a lot of room in the play, but her maternal presence registers sharply nonetheless.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
Cite this Entry
“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
maternal
adjective
ma·ter·nal
mə-ˈtərn-ᵊl
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
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
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
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