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
Time-dependent surveys on HIV and maternal mortality were halted.
—
Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
The tennis superstar is being recognized for her commitment to maternal health advocacy and improving the lives of children in need around the world, with Alicia Keys set to present her with the honor in West Hollywood on Saturday.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
His maternal grandfather worked 41 years at various Ford facilities, spending a lot of time at meetings inside of Ford's current iconic world headquarters on Michigan Avenue, nicknamed The Glass House.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Aileen and her older brother, Keith Wuornos, were raised by their maternal grandparents.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
The tennis superstar is being recognized for her commitment to maternal health advocacy and improving the lives of children in need around the world, with Alicia Keys set to present her with the honor in West Hollywood on Saturday.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
His maternal grandfather worked 41 years at various Ford facilities, spending a lot of time at meetings inside of Ford's current iconic world headquarters on Michigan Avenue, nicknamed The Glass House.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Aileen and her older brother, Keith Wuornos, were raised by their maternal grandparents.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 31 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 9 Nov. 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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