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
Take the show’s unflinching portrayal of Black maternal mortality, one of America’s most shameful healthcare crises.
—
Robert Raben, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Licensing requirements and federal policies, including the Sheppard-Towner Act of 1921, reshaped maternal care and led to the decline of many Black midwives.
—Nicky Zizaza, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Some other hospitals, meanwhile, have moved to have more midwives on staff, which research has shown is associated with lower preterm birth rates and fewer maternal deaths.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Roya said her maternal grandmother would come to stay with the family for a couple of weeks at a time.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Robert Raben, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Licensing requirements and federal policies, including the Sheppard-Towner Act of 1921, reshaped maternal care and led to the decline of many Black midwives.
—Nicky Zizaza, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Some other hospitals, meanwhile, have moved to have more midwives on staff, which research has shown is associated with lower preterm birth rates and fewer maternal deaths.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Roya said her maternal grandmother would come to stay with the family for a couple of weeks at a time.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 26 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 2 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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