natal

adjective

na·​tal ˈnā-tᵊl 

1

: native

2

: of, relating to, or present at birth

especially : associated with one's birth

a natal star

Examples of natal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Salmon typically feed in the ocean for about three years and then return to their natal streams to spawn. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

In reality, a steelhead is just a rainbow trout that decides to go to the ocean, and then returns to its natal river to spawn. — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026

Back then, besides stardust, no solid materials at all drifted through this natal disk. — Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026

As a result, in their relative youth, these worlds are found still embedded in this natal-material swirling around in plate-like structures called protoplanetary disks. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin natalis, from natus, past participle of nasci to be born — more at nation

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing natal

• natal chart

Rhymes for natal

• datal
• fatal
• antenatal
• hiatal
• neonatal
• perinatal
• nonfatal
• postnatal
• prenatal

Kids Definition

natal

adjective

na·​tal ˈnāt-ᵊl 

: of or relating to birth

Medical Definition

natal

adjective

na·​tal ˈnāt-ᵊl 

: of or relating to birth

lowering the natal death rate

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

Geographical Definition

Natal

geographical name

Na·​tal nə-ˈtal 

-ˈtäl

1

city and port on the Atlantic in northeastern Brazil population 803,739

Note: Natal serves as capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte.

2

former province of the eastern part of the Republic of South Africa between the Drakensberg Mountains and the Indian Ocean

Note: Natal is now part of the province of KwaZulu-Natal.