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
Green and his brother, Hank Green, have long been advocates for access to healthcare and have raised over $30 million dollars to combat maternal mortality in Sierra Leone, according to his bio.
—
Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Oct. 2024
The Data Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act really drew attention to the intersection between maternal mortality and broadband access.
—Maria Curi, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024
Born in 1872 in County Sligo, Ireland, Mulrooney stayed behind when her parents emigrated to America and spent her childhood on her maternal grandparents’ farm, surrounded by boys.
—Melanie Haiken, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
This was not the case for his maternal grandparents, who became steeped in the politics of the Cuban-exile community.
—Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maternal 
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Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Oct. 2024
The Data Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act really drew attention to the intersection between maternal mortality and broadband access.
—Maria Curi, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024
Born in 1872 in County Sligo, Ireland, Mulrooney stayed behind when her parents emigrated to America and spent her childhood on her maternal grandparents’ farm, surrounded by boys.
—Melanie Haiken, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
This was not the case for his maternal grandparents, who became steeped in the politics of the Cuban-exile community.
—Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 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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