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
Congressional Republicans have also proposed $880 billion in Medicaid cuts, putting health care at risk for 900,000 San Diego County residents and undermining behavioral health, maternal care, lifesaving treatment and the ability to see a doctor.
—
Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
In countries heavily dependent on U.S. aid, the Mexico City Policy has resulted in approximately 80 additional child deaths and nine additional maternal deaths per 100,000 live births annually and about one additional HIV infection per 10,000 uninfected people.
—Kathryn Rhine, The Conversation, 19 May 2025
Improve access and quality of pre- and post-natal support, maternal care and child healthcare – Effective leaders evaluate their benefits to ensure employees and their dependents have access to quality care and do not face unreasonable costs.
—John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Notably, 60 percent of maternal deaths occur in this same postpartum period.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
In countries heavily dependent on U.S. aid, the Mexico City Policy has resulted in approximately 80 additional child deaths and nine additional maternal deaths per 100,000 live births annually and about one additional HIV infection per 10,000 uninfected people.
—Kathryn Rhine, The Conversation, 19 May 2025
Improve access and quality of pre- and post-natal support, maternal care and child healthcare – Effective leaders evaluate their benefits to ensure employees and their dependents have access to quality care and do not face unreasonable costs.
—John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Notably, 60 percent of maternal deaths occur in this same postpartum period.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 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 29 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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