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
• 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

So far, over 100,000 mothers have received maternal nutrition support, and another 66,000 mothers and families have been reached through a door-to-door approach and through community support group sessions. —Unicef Usa, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Sadaf’s devotion to Iman is emotional, erotic, and traditional; then her spousal and maternal loyalties transform and become adversarial. —Armond White, National Review, 22 Jan. 2025

Every woman from her maternal side has carried it in their weddings. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025

Experts didn’t have much experience with orphans then but knew that Lil Joe would struggle in the wild without maternal guidance. —Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 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

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