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
Karla Renic, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024
Katz helped Rose through two divorces, an uncontested paternity suit filed by a woman claiming to have been his mistress, government liens, tax troubles and his unceasing clamor for reinstatement.
—Mike Kupper, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
See all Example Sentences for paternity 
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Noun
The paternity suit is regarding Annica's second daughter, who was born in 2020 after her divorce from Bowling.
—Karla Renic, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024
Katz helped Rose through two divorces, an uncontested paternity suit filed by a woman claiming to have been his mistress, government liens, tax troubles and his unceasing clamor for reinstatement.
—Mike Kupper, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 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 5 Nov. 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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