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
In my case, identity documents issued in Puerto Rico use both my paternal and maternal surname, as is the custom in Latin America.
—
Delmarie Alicea, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Bateman and her husband, Douglas Hershey, an obstetrician-gynecologist and maternal-fetal medicine specialist from California, bought the penthouse for $820,000 in 1994.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
In Colorado, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee said discrimination contributes to two-thirds of maternal deaths.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
With powerful visual storytelling, the film will interweave the rigorous scientific research and poetry of Lucy’s writing, with personal stories from a diverse range of contributors to offer a radical and profound examination of maternal metamorphosis.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Delmarie Alicea, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Bateman and her husband, Douglas Hershey, an obstetrician-gynecologist and maternal-fetal medicine specialist from California, bought the penthouse for $820,000 in 1994.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
In Colorado, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee said discrimination contributes to two-thirds of maternal deaths.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
With powerful visual storytelling, the film will interweave the rigorous scientific research and poetry of Lucy’s writing, with personal stories from a diverse range of contributors to offer a radical and profound examination of maternal metamorphosis.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
Cite this Entry
“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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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