natal

adjective na·tal \ ˈnā-tᵊl \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Definition of natal

1 : native

2 : of, relating to, or present at birth; especially : associated with one's birth

a natal star

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Recent Examples of natal from the Web

In sharing Drake’s astrological positioning, Nicholas was quick to point out that his natal chart is a particularly powerful simulacrum.

— hannah giorgis, The Atlantic, "Drake’s Scorpion, as Explained by an Astrologer and an Entomologist," 3 July 2018
My Vedic astrologer told me our natal charts are very similar.

— New York Times, "Ottessa Moshfegh: By the Book," 28 June 2018
Take a look at your natal chart: Any planets in Taurus or Scorpio (Taurus's opposite sign) will be directly impacted by Uranus's transit.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What Uranus’s Astrological Transit Into Taurus Means for Your Finances," 10 May 2018
The fish are born in freshwater streams, head to sea for one or more years and return to their natal streams to spawn.

— Washington Post, "Conservation groups’ pact will help save Atlantic salmon," 29 May 2018
All wild species of salmon are genetically diverse to an extraordinary extent, each fashioned for its own natal stream like a key for a lock, and yet some fish stray, leading to the colonization of unexploited streams.

— richard adams carey, WSJ, "‘Kings of the Yukon’ Review: A Song for the Salmon," 25 May 2018
This being a Shape interview, Kaling talked about her pre- and post-natal workout routines.

— refinery29.com, "Mindy Kaling Narrates Her Daughter’s Life To Her, Mindy Project-Style," 16 May 2018
The figure, which amounts to 2.4 million deaths a decade, does not include pre-natal mortality rates.

— steve george, CNN, "Gender discrimination kills 239,000 girls in India each year, study finds," 15 May 2018
The oldest, largest female is the typically the leader, and females stay with their natal herd their whole lives.

— National Geographic, "Failure to Launch: These Animals Stay With Mom For Years," 12 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'natal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of natal

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Embryology Terms

gravid, neonate, ontogeny, parturition

Natal

geographical name Na·tal \ nə-ˈtal , -ˈtäl \

Definition of Natal

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.

Medical Dictionary

natal

adjective na·tal \ ˈnāt-ᵊl \

medical Definition of natal

: of or relating to birth

lowering the natal death rate
—Journal of the American Medical Association

Learn More about natal

See words that rhyme with natal Spanish Central: Translation of natal Nglish: Translation of natal for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about natal

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natal

Definition of natal

Recent Examples of natal from the Web

Origin and Etymology of natal

Other Embryology Terms

Natal

Definition of Natal

Medical Dictionary

natal

medical Definition of natal

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natal

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