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
Nikki Taylor, Teyana Taylor‘s mother, will be honored with the Queens Raising Queens Award, awarded to mothers and maternal figures whose love, guidance and example empower the next generation of women to rise, thrive and lead.
—
Heran Mamo, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025
Williams received the award for her championing of women's health, particularly with Black maternal health.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
This year, the Baby2Baby Gala, presented by Paul Mitchell in West Hollywood, honored Serena Williams with the Giving Tree Award in recognition of her advocacy for maternal health.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
For the new review, researchers found that many of the studies in the nine reviews examined did not adjust for other contributing factors such as genetics, maternal health and external environmental factors.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Heran Mamo, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025
Williams received the award for her championing of women's health, particularly with Black maternal health.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
This year, the Baby2Baby Gala, presented by Paul Mitchell in West Hollywood, honored Serena Williams with the Giving Tree Award in recognition of her advocacy for maternal health.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
For the new review, researchers found that many of the studies in the nine reviews examined did not adjust for other contributing factors such as genetics, maternal health and external environmental factors.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maternal
Cite this Entry
“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
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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