paternity test

noun

: a test especially of DNA or genetic traits to determine whether a given man could be the biological father of a given child

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In December, a Dallas judge ordered Jones to take a paternity test. —

Josh Peter, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2023 After requesting a paternity test for the newborn, Thompson confirmed that the baby was his the following month. —

Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2023 The alleged incident happened on Dec. 20 after an argument over a paternity test. —

Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 14 Feb. 2023 At the time of her birth, Pulliam and Hartwell were in the midst of a tumultuous divorce, with Hartwell requesting a paternity test. —

Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 8 Feb. 2023 Hartwell filed for divorce and also demanded that Pulliam undergo a paternity test. —

Maria Yagoda, Peoplemag, 5 Jan. 2023 Sorenson Genomics began selling a paternity test through Rite Aid stores in late 2007. —

Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 12 May 2010 When the paternity test results came back, the answer was the same. —

Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2014 Jack gets home from seeing Brady to find Mel still focused on the paternity test. —

Sara Netzley, EW.com, 20 July 2022 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of paternity test was in 1926

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near paternity test

paternity leave

paternity test

paternoite

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Paternity test.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternity%20test. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

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