maternal

adjective ma·ter·nal \ mə-ˈtər-nᵊl \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of maternal

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

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maternally

play \-nᵊl-ē\ adverb

See maternal defined for English-language learners

See maternal defined for kids

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 of maternal from the Web

Her algorithm is based on gestational age; maternal risk factors, such as when the amniotic sac ruptured; and the infant's clinical exam.

— marla broadfoot, Science | AAAS, "Too many antibiotics can give preemies a lifetime of ill health," 5 Apr. 2018
Lauren Fellows, a maternal cousin of William’s; Adam Middleton, cousin to Kate; Thomas van Straubenzee, a close friend of William; James Meade, a good friend of Wiliam; and Sophie Carter, a longtime friend of Kate.

— kate storey, Town & Country, "Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle be the New Royal Baby's Godparents?," 29 Mar. 2018
The firing came after the health ministry recently released new data showing infant and maternal deaths and cases of malaria are skyrocketing in the country already grappling with severe medical shortages.

— julia jones and stefano pozzebon, CNN, "Venezuela health system in worse condition than expected, according to survey," 28 Mar. 2018
Edquist, whose maternal grandmother is Irish, reminds others that this event also offers a walk option.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "St. Patrick's Day puts Irish symbols, traditions in the spotlight," 14 Mar. 2018
EngenderHealth does a lot, including spreading information about family planning, addressing maternal health needs by improving medical facilities, and mobilizing men as partners in reproductive health.

— hannah smothers, Cosmopolitan, "19 Ways You Can #PressForProgress on International Women’s Day," 8 Mar. 2018
Anglo mothers had 35 percent of all live births but accounted for 38 percent of maternal deaths.

— melissa fletcher stoeltje, San Antonio Express-News, "Why black women are more at risk of death related to childbirth," 7 Feb. 2018
This could lead to a further 6,900 maternal deaths.

— casey quackenbush, Time, "The Impact of President Trump's 'Global Gag Rule' on Women's Health is Becoming Clear," 2 Feb. 2018
In most developed nations, the number of maternal deaths is on the decline.

— rehema ellis, NBC News, "Maternal health statistics staggering for black women," 17 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maternal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of maternal

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

maternal Synonyms

Synonyms

mother, motherly;

Related Words

parental;

female, feminine, womanish, womanlike, womanly;

matriarchal, matronly;

caring, giving, nurturing;

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

MATERNAL Defined for English Language Learners

maternal

adjective

Definition of maternal for English Language Learners

: of or relating to a mother
: of or relating to a woman who is having a baby
: related through the mother

MATERNAL Defined for Kids

maternal

adjective ma·ter·nal \ mə-ˈtər-nᵊl \

Definition of maternal for Students

1 : of or relating to a mother

maternal instincts

2 : related through the mother

maternal grandparents

—

maternally

adverb

Word Root of maternal

The Latin word mater, meaning “mother,” gives us the root mater or matr. Anyone or anything maternal, such as a grandparent, is related through the mother's side of the family. Maternity is the state of being a mother. A matriarch is a woman who is the mother and head of a family. A matron is a married woman who may be a mother.