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

maternally

mə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms of maternal

• mother
• parental
• feminine
• motherly

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

My maternal uncles, my mother, and my sister Nadia had come, too, and both my sisters’ estranged husbands. — Sonia Gandhi, Vanity Fair, 10 Nov. 2026

An independent review of birth data during the Tigray war from 2020 - 2022 showed that the maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births increased fivefold, compared to prewar data. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 10 Nov. 2026

Instead, Miller said, Democrats should use their new power to make tangible improvements in people’s lives, such as restoring food assistance, protecting maternal healthcare and preserving disaster aid. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Women lawmakers have historically been more likely to focus on issues including healthcare, childcare, education, paid family leave and maternal health, Swers added. — MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French maternel, from Medieval Latin maternalis, from Latin maternus, from mater mother — more at mother

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for maternal

• diurnal
• eternal
• external
• fraternal
• infernal
• internal
• nocturnal
• paternal
• pimpernel
• colonel
• journal
• kernel

Kids 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

maternally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

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

maternally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb