natal

adjective

na·​tal ˈnā-tᵊl 

1

: native

2

: of, relating to, or present at birth

especially : associated with one's birth

a natal star

Examples of natal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And the degree of genetic diversity raised questions about the fish’s faithfulness to its natal spawning waters. —Benjamin Cassidy, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025

His natal Chiron—planet of deep wounds and insecurities—is sitting right on top of your North Node in Gemini in the first house of the self. —Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 16 May 2025

This was unexpected, because Atlantic sturgeon tend to return to their natal rivers for breeding. —Logan Kistler, JSTOR Daily, 3 Apr. 2025

Atlantic sturgeon can migrate great distances before returning to their natal rivers to spawn, according to a paper written by Wirgin and others last year. —Benjamin Cassidy, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin natalis, from natus, past participle of nasci to be born — more at nation

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing natal

• natal chart

Rhymes for natal

• datal
• fatal
• antenatal
• neonatal
• perinatal
• hiatal
• nonfatal
• postnatal
• prenatal

Kids Definition

natal

adjective

na·​tal ˈnāt-ᵊl 

: of or relating to birth

Medical Definition

natal

adjective

na·​tal ˈnāt-ᵊl 

: of or relating to birth

lowering the natal death rate

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

Geographical Definition

Natal

geographical name

Na·​tal nə-ˈtal 

-ˈtäl

1

city and port on the Atlantic in northeastern Brazil population 803,739

Note: Natal serves as capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte.

2

former province of the eastern part of the Republic of South Africa between the Drakensberg Mountains and the Indian Ocean

Note: Natal is now part of the province of KwaZulu-Natal.