maternal

adjective

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ma·ter·nal | \ mə-ˈtər-nᵊl

Definition of maternal

1 : of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother : motherly maternal love maternal instincts

2a : related through a mother his maternal aunt

b : inherited or derived from the female parent maternal genes

Other Words from maternal Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About maternal

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 From his maternal grandmother, who spent a part of each year living with the family, Kurkov heard stories about his grandfather, who died a heroic death in the battle to liberate Kharkiv from the Nazis in 1943. — New York Times, 24 May 2022 The current French President, Emmanuel Macron, was very close to his maternal grandmother, who lived in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, a thermal station in the Pyrenees. — Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022 The children were taken to the home of their maternal grandmother, Gloria Farber, in New York City. — Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 21 May 2022 My maternal grandmother, Beatrice Tsinajinnie, grew up around Leupp, Arizona. — Asher Lehrer-small, BostonGlobe.com, 20 May 2022 Before this, my Didu—or maternal grandmother—and my great-aunt would have to toast and grind the spices themselves, and these mobile spice shops offered convenience and the promise of time saved. — Urmila Ramakrishnan, Bon Appétit, 17 May 2022 My maternal grandmother, who had once been associated with the Nationalists, was forced to write self-denunciation letters late into the night to prove her loyalty to the Communist Party. — Belinda Huijuan Tang, Vogue, 5 May 2022 Her maternal grandmother, Marie-Paule Chiron, died eight years ago, at the age of 103, when Sciamma was in her mid-30s. — NBC News, 27 Apr. 2022 At their wedding, two seats in the front row were reserved in memory of Gabrielle and her maternal grandmother. — Dawn Ennis, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 See More

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.