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
Recent Examples on the Web
Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Romelus was once a contestant on Paternity Court, a court TV series that focused on all-things family, ranging from questions about paternity to stories involving DNA.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
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Noun
As the Kruppas’ children were grappling with the truth about their paternity, Jim Harris was in North Carolina exchanging emails with a newfound half-sibling on 23andMe.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Romelus was once a contestant on Paternity Court, a court TV series that focused on all-things family, ranging from questions about paternity to stories involving DNA.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 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 6 Nov. 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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