paternity

1 of 2

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

paternity

2 of 2

adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Owens, a California native living in Arizona, filed a paternity lawsuit against Echard in 2023 seeking child support, according to prosecutors. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

By the time Lewis is 19 months old, Young formally adopts her, forever hiding her pregnancy and Gable paternity from the world. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 17 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The myth that 10 percent of children the product of 'non-paternity events' is rather persistent. — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1544, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing paternity

• paternity leave
• paternity test

Rhymes for paternity

• eternity
• fraternity
• maternity
• modernity
• confraternity
• taciturnity

Kids Definition

paternity

noun

pa·​ter·​ni·​ty

pə-ˈtər-nət-ē

1

: the state of being a father

2

: origin from a father

Legal 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