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
Fouad Qasem, Ghazali's maternal uncle, lives down the street.
—
Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026
Azaria also noted that his maternal grandmother, Esther, inspired his character.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
The two become a secret couple, and in a funny way this movie about the transcendence of the maternal bond turns on Ledger’s evolving emotions — his realization that Kenna is a good woman, and that blaming her for Scotty’s death was shortsighted and too vengeful.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
The stop-motion short tells the simplistic tale of a bear who comes under the care of a maternal (paternal?
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026
Azaria also noted that his maternal grandmother, Esther, inspired his character.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
The two become a secret couple, and in a funny way this movie about the transcendence of the maternal bond turns on Ledger’s evolving emotions — his realization that Kenna is a good woman, and that blaming her for Scotty’s death was shortsighted and too vengeful.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
The stop-motion short tells the simplistic tale of a bear who comes under the care of a maternal (paternal?
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 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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