maternal
adjective
ma·ter·nal
mə-ˈtər-nᵊl 
1
: of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother : motherly
maternal love
maternal instincts
2
a
: related through a mother
his maternal aunt
b
: inherited or derived from the female parent
maternal genes
Examples of maternal in a Sentence
Doctors are concerned about the effects of the drug on maternal health.
her maternal instincts told her that something was wrong
Recent Examples on the Web
Although the study did not focus on preeclampsia, McDonald said the regimen’s potential to reduce that risk could also lower maternal deaths and complications.
—
Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
His paternal grandfather was a general surgeon, his maternal grandfather a physician, his dad an anesthesiologist.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
This has, weirdly, resulted in far-right communities being one of the few spaces where maternal labor is explicitly celebrated, rather than dismissed or ignored.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2026
My maternal grandfather, Frederick Douglas Fisher—both of his parents were slaves.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
His paternal grandfather was a general surgeon, his maternal grandfather a physician, his dad an anesthesiologist.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
This has, weirdly, resulted in far-right communities being one of the few spaces where maternal labor is explicitly celebrated, rather than dismissed or ignored.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2026
My maternal grandfather, Frederick Douglas Fisher—both of his parents were slaves.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
Cite this Entry
“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
maternal
adjective
ma·ter·nal
mə-ˈtərn-ᵊl
1
: of or relating to a mother : motherly
2
a
: related through a mother
maternal grandparents
b
: obtained or received from a female parent
maternal chromosomes
Etymology
Middle English maternal "maternal, of or like a mother," from early French maternel (same meaning), from Latin maternus "maternal," from mater "mother" — related to alma mater
Medical Definition
maternal
adjective
ma·ter·nal
mə-ˈtərn-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother
maternal instinct
2
a
: related through a mother
his maternal aunt
b
: inherited or derived from the female parent
maternal genes
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