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
Pinjar thus starts out with Hamida’s disgust, puncturing notions of maternal affection revered in mainstream South Asian (and other) narratives.
—
JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
He was raised by his mother and his maternal grandmother, who legally adopted him.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
This year, Baby2Baby announced the expansion of their initiative to combat the maternal health crisis to 15 states.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
When that maternal presence is missing, there’s not just a lack of support, but a loss of grounding.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
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.
JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
He was raised by his mother and his maternal grandmother, who legally adopted him.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
This year, Baby2Baby announced the expansion of their initiative to combat the maternal health crisis to 15 states.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
When that maternal presence is missing, there’s not just a lack of support, but a loss of grounding.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maternal
Cite this Entry
“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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
Share