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
Closing the Gaps in Maternal Mental Health Care Dr. Diana Ramos, California's Surgeon General, and a passionate women's health advocate, sees Not Calm Moms as filling critical gaps where traditional maternal healthcare often falls short.
—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
In fact, research shows that maternal ambivalence is incredibly common.
—Ruthie Ackerman, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Zoom out: The state ranks sixth in the nation for maternal age, an Axios analysis found.
—Nadia Lopez, Axios, 28 Apr. 2025
Mina’s father flouted strictures; Sade’s mother subjugated herself to them — that is, until Sade went to jail on a serious felony and compassion for her daughter awakened her long-dormant maternal loyalty.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
In fact, research shows that maternal ambivalence is incredibly common.
—Ruthie Ackerman, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Zoom out: The state ranks sixth in the nation for maternal age, an Axios analysis found.
—Nadia Lopez, Axios, 28 Apr. 2025
Mina’s father flouted strictures; Sade’s mother subjugated herself to them — that is, until Sade went to jail on a serious felony and compassion for her daughter awakened her long-dormant maternal loyalty.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 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 4 May. 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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