paternity

pa·ter·ni·ty | \ pə-ˈtər-nə-tē

How to pronounce paternity (audio)

\

Definition of paternity

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the quality or state of being a father

2 : origin or descent from a father

paternity

Definition of paternity (Entry 2 of 2)

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 Every nation in western Europe now mandates paternity leave, after Switzerland became the last European country to do so. — Claire Zillman, Fortune, "Fortune’s 2020 MPW Summit tackles the ‘new reality’," 29 Sep. 2020 Swiss voters passed a referendum Sunday giving fathers 10 days of paternity leave, the last nation in Western Europe to endorse this benefit. — David Clark Scott, The Christian Science Monitor, "Monday Sunrise Briefing: How Judge Barrett shapes US election," 28 Sep. 2020 The Brewers could be in a tough spot with their bullpen, with a doubleheader Friday and Freddy Peralta on paternity leave. — Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cardinals 4, Brewers 2: Series opener a major flop as Corbin Burnes leaves with injury," 24 Sep. 2020 A great night at the plate for Alex Dickerson in his return from paternity leave ended in the Oracle Park medical clinic. — Henry Schulman, SFChronicle.com, "Giants’ Dickerson sent for X-rays after being hit by pitch in return from paternity leave," 21 Sep. 2020 Some experts are hopeful: Dr. Carlson points to a growing body of research that shows that fathers who take paternity leave become more involved at home, even after the leaves have ended. — Anne Marie Chaker, WSJ, "For Some Fathers, Pandemic Brings a New Perspective—and Quiet Joys," 6 Oct. 2020 Freddy Peralta was reinstated from the paternity list Saturday after wife Maritza gave birth to the couple’s first child, daughter Norah. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers catcher Omar Narváez got lost at the plate from the outset and never found his way back," 26 Sep. 2020 Los Angeles outfielder Joc Pederson was placed on the paternity list and replaced on the roster by right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz. — Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, "Arizona Diamondbacks squander big lead in loss to Los Angeles Dodgers," 10 Sep. 2020 Dickerson was placed on the paternity list on Saturday ahead of Jennifer's delivery. — Ashley Boucher, PEOPLE.com, "San Francisco Giants Player Alex Dickerson and Wife Jennifer Welcome Son Levi," 21 Sep. 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about paternity

Dictionary Entries near paternity

paternity leave

Statistics for paternity

Last Updated

21 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Paternity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternity. Accessed 22 Oct. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for paternity

paternity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of paternity

(Entry 1 of 2)

formal : the state or fact of being the father of a particular child

paternity

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of paternity (Entry 2 of 2)

: relating to the time when a father's child is born

: done to prove that a man is the father of a particular child

See the full definition for paternity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

paternity

pa·ter·ni·ty | \ pə-ˈtər-nə-tē

\

Legal Definition of paternity

1 : the quality or state of being a father

2 : origin or descent from a father

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

adduce

Listen to the pronunciation of adduce

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.