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

And the department has placed on leave the team that oversees the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a collection of survey responses from women before and after giving birth that has become a crucial tool in trying to address the country’s disconcertingly high rate of maternal mortality. —Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 18 Apr. 2025

With a focus on the South, SisterSong fights for the human rights of Indigenous women and women of color through policy, education, and grassroots organizing – centering Black maternal well-being in every campaign. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 15 Apr. 2025

Florida’s future depends on the well-being of our children, and the return on investment for maternal and infant health programs is undeniable. —Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2025

Cancer is the maternal and nurturing of the zodiac, which is why Ray is suited to be the Water sign. —Lisa Stardust, People.com, 12 Apr. 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

Rhymes for maternal

• diurnal
• eternal
• external
• fraternal
• infernal
• internal
• nocturnal
• paternal
• pimpernel
• colonel
• journal
• kernel

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