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

• 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

Instead, experts believe that genetics together with myriad environmental factors—including maternal age and health and exposure to pollution and contaminants like heavy metals—play a role. —Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 23 Sep. 2025

March of Dimes, a nonprofit focused on infant and maternal health, agrees. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025

While the study doesn’t explain why, a variety of factors could be at play, including the differing expectations for maternal and paternal roles and the disproportionate amount of time mothers typically spend with their children, which may lead to greater influence. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 23 Sep. 2025

But experts in maternal-fetal medicine say that untreated fever is known to be dangerous in pregnancy, and pain is a problem too. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025

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