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
It is well documented that maternal mental health is the primary complication associated with childbirth and one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the United States.
—
Catherine Birndorf, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
Sources of succor and disquiet—currents which Winter has ridden in life and art—each female elder is a maternal presence who offers complementary textures to the tapestry Winter has woven from threads of experience and sheer imagination.
—Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Apart from his mom and dad, Adler also shared a special connection with his late maternal grandfather Joseph, who was affectionally called Papa Joe.
—Sarah Title, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Among the areas covered in the survey were food insecurity, loneliness, their experience with the weather and maternal health.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Catherine Birndorf, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
Sources of succor and disquiet—currents which Winter has ridden in life and art—each female elder is a maternal presence who offers complementary textures to the tapestry Winter has woven from threads of experience and sheer imagination.
—Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Apart from his mom and dad, Adler also shared a special connection with his late maternal grandfather Joseph, who was affectionally called Papa Joe.
—Sarah Title, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Among the areas covered in the survey were food insecurity, loneliness, their experience with the weather and maternal health.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 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 10 Oct. 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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