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
Research shows, however, that access to modern contraceptives, and the ability to prevent or space out pregnancies, improves maternal mortality rates, family incomes and babies’ health.
—
Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Every successful birth — and every strong maternal bond — contributes to that bigger picture.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Preston’s maternal great-uncle, a merchant seaman during World War II, collected African art, and it was all passed on to his mother and then to him.
—Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
The 10th grader, whose father and maternal grandmother are Guatemalan, will represent the country in tournaments this summer.
—Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Every successful birth — and every strong maternal bond — contributes to that bigger picture.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Preston’s maternal great-uncle, a merchant seaman during World War II, collected African art, and it was all passed on to his mother and then to him.
—Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
The 10th grader, whose father and maternal grandmother are Guatemalan, will represent the country in tournaments this summer.
—Daily News, 22 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
