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

maternally

mə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms

• mother
• parental
• feminine
• motherly

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

Through research, Women’s Empowerment and Birth Equity Institute has discovered information that highlights the gap in maternal care between Black and white women. —Lauren-Kennedy Brown, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025

According to a draft agenda published online, the committee will hold votes on maternal/pediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines and RSV vaccines under the federal Vaccines for Children program. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 June 2025

And to tip it over the edge further, the season ended with Amanda (Sonja Sohn), Will’s only maternal figure, in a hospital bed, not knowing how that will end. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 June 2025

The man left her and she is trapped between societal norms and maternal instinct. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French maternel, from Medieval Latin maternalis, from Latin maternus, from mater mother — more at mother

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for maternal

• diurnal
• eternal
• external
• fraternal
• infernal
• internal
• nocturnal
• paternal
• pimpernel
• colonel
• journal
• kernel

Kids 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

maternally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

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

maternally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb