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
The physical attributes that helped these women get recruited likely led to their low rates of maternal mortality.
—
Ann Foster, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025
In March 2024, Sanders created a committee to make recommendations on improving maternal health.
—Nathan Ansell, arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
One of the leading non-medical risk factors for maternal mortality is suicide.
—Natasha Williams, New York Daily News, 2 July 2025
Five maternal health experts and practicing OB-GYNs who reviewed the records for ProPublica said by that ultrasound visit, doctors would have had enough information to determine that the pregnancy wasn’t viable, even under the most conservative guidelines.
—Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Ann Foster, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025
In March 2024, Sanders created a committee to make recommendations on improving maternal health.
—Nathan Ansell, arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
One of the leading non-medical risk factors for maternal mortality is suicide.
—Natasha Williams, New York Daily News, 2 July 2025
Five maternal health experts and practicing OB-GYNs who reviewed the records for ProPublica said by that ultrasound visit, doctors would have had enough information to determine that the pregnancy wasn’t viable, even under the most conservative guidelines.
—Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for maternal
Cite this Entry
“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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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