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

maternally

mə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms of maternal

• mother
• parental
• feminine
• motherly

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

Worse yet for our protagonist, this battle kicks off just moments after his maternal reunion, when he’s gone to the building’s basement to retrieve belongings in storage. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026

This one would ensure consistent funding for research on disparities in maternal care. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 July 2026

From weaning to leaving the natal den, maternal raccoon take their family through something like homeschooling. — Kelly Lambert, The Conversation, 23 July 2026

The new data will help inform quality and safety improvements and new models of care aimed at preventing severe maternal harm. — Camille A. Clare, STAT, 23 July 2026

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

Rhymes for maternal

• diurnal
• eternal
• external
• fraternal
• infernal
• internal
• nocturnal
• paternal
• pimpernel
• colonel
• journal
• kernel

Kids 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

maternally

-ᵊl-ē 

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 

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

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb