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
Her maternal grandmother was two-time Grammy Award winner Cissy Houston of The Drinkard Singers, while her mother's cousins were music greats Dee Dee Warwick, Dionne Warwick and Leontyne Price.
—
Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
The United States already has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income countries, with deaths disproportionately affecting people of color and rural communities.
—Jesus Ruiz, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
Earlier this month, Hudson, Sterling and Ahmed attended a Parliamentary debate with MP Jess Asato, the Birth Companions Institute and Project Accountability to discuss children’s social care, maternal imprisonment, the family courts, housing provision and intergenerational cycles of trauma.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
This tool could be a game-changer in underserved areas, where maternal health, including complications from anemia, is a big concern.
—Peter Shen, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
The United States already has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income countries, with deaths disproportionately affecting people of color and rural communities.
—Jesus Ruiz, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
Earlier this month, Hudson, Sterling and Ahmed attended a Parliamentary debate with MP Jess Asato, the Birth Companions Institute and Project Accountability to discuss children’s social care, maternal imprisonment, the family courts, housing provision and intergenerational cycles of trauma.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
This tool could be a game-changer in underserved areas, where maternal health, including complications from anemia, is a big concern.
—Peter Shen, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 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 9 Feb. 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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