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
Users can explore topics including infectious diseases, maternal and child health, community safety and chronic conditions.
—
Velvet Wu
june 5, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
This money will help her longtime work on contraceptive access and maternal care while expanding to a new area, midlife and menopause.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Early-life exposures, including body weight at age 10 and maternal smoking, also showed measurable effects on aging outcomes decades later, which underscores just how long these influences stretch.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Matt’s maternal grandfather was Jack Geary, who was an Air Force pilot and professional football player, according to the family.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Velvet Wu
june 5, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
This money will help her longtime work on contraceptive access and maternal care while expanding to a new area, midlife and menopause.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Early-life exposures, including body weight at age 10 and maternal smoking, also showed measurable effects on aging outcomes decades later, which underscores just how long these influences stretch.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Matt’s maternal grandfather was Jack Geary, who was an Air Force pilot and professional football player, according to the family.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 2 June 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 11 Jun. 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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