pa·ter·ni·ty
pə-ˈtər-nə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being a father
2
: origin or descent from a father
1
: granted to a father
paternity leave
paternity rights
2
: of or relating to the determination of paternity
a paternity suit
Examples of paternity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
From Campy Campaneris, who led off their first game representing Oakland, to Seth Brown, recalled from the paternity list as their most recent roster addition, the A’s have filled 1,429 roster spots with many more players to count.
—Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2024
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
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Noun
While Bologna and Modena engaged in a friendly dispute over the paternity of Tortellini for centuries, the town of Castelfranco Emilia was declared its progenitor in the 1800s.
—Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
From Campy Campaneris, who led off their first game representing Oakland, to Seth Brown, recalled from the paternity list as their most recent roster addition, the A’s have filled 1,429 roster spots with many more players to count.
—Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2024
Adjective
The myth that 10 percent of children the product of 'non-paternity events' is rather persistent.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
See all Example Sentences for paternity
Dictionary Entries Near paternity
Cite this Entry
“Paternity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternity. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
paternity
noun
pa·ter·ni·ty
pə-ˈtər-nə-tē
1
: the quality or state of being a father
2
: origin or descent from a father
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