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
This prevents Adams from showing the disarming quality that Helena Bonham Carter brought to the eccentric mother figure in the 2010 Toast, an unconventional comic biography of chef Nigel Slater’s maternal fixation.
—
Armond White, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
Set on a remote Greek island at the turn of the 20th century, Murderess is a poignant exploration of maternal dominance, societal oppression and the complex bonds between women.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
Black, Latina, Native American and Pacific Islander women experience disproportionate rates of preterm births, infant mortality and maternal deaths.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
The immigrant heritage also extends to Trump's maternal side.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maternal 
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Armond White, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
Set on a remote Greek island at the turn of the 20th century, Murderess is a poignant exploration of maternal dominance, societal oppression and the complex bonds between women.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
Black, Latina, Native American and Pacific Islander women experience disproportionate rates of preterm births, infant mortality and maternal deaths.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
The immigrant heritage also extends to Trump's maternal side.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maternal
Dictionary Entries Near maternal
Cite this Entry
“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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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