pa·ter·ni·ty
pə-ˈtər-nə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being a father
2
: origin or descent from a father
1
: granted to a father
paternity leave
paternity rights
2
: of or relating to the determination of paternity
a paternity suit
Examples of paternity in a Sentence
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Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 18 June 2025
For men, particularly in the years before erectile medications hit the market, older paternity was tacitly perceived as a nod to enduring virility.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
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Noun
The answer may be linked to the studied species’ promiscuous practices: in the Amboseli population, both sexes have multiple mating partners, so paternity isn’t always clear-cut.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 18 June 2025
For men, particularly in the years before erectile medications hit the market, older paternity was tacitly perceived as a nod to enduring virility.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Adjective
The myth that 10 percent of children the product of 'non-paternity events' is rather persistent.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
See All Example Sentences for paternity
Cite this Entry
“Paternity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternity. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
paternity
noun
pa·ter·ni·ty
pə-ˈtər-nə-tē
1
: the quality or state of being a father
2
: origin or descent from a father
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