maternal

adjective

ma·​ter·​nal mə-ˈtər-nᵊl How to pronounce maternal (audio)
Synonyms of maternal
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 How to pronounce maternal (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of maternal

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is part of a series on maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, which has the world’s fastest-growing population and accounts for 70% of global maternal deaths. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 But behind the headlines, maternal mental health experts say the disorder is nuanced, understudied and, importantly, treatable. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 July 2026 Lupe, a participant in a study on emotional distress and maternal health in El Paso, Texas, recounted her birth experience in a postpartum interview. — Carina Heckert, The Conversation, 30 July 2026 Of course, many aspects of maternal care cannot be provided at a distance, but even so, having this option more widely available could be useful for fielding routine questions and identifying cases that require in-person care. — Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for maternal

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of maternal was in the 15th century

Rhymes for maternal

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Browse Nearby Words

mater lectionis
maternal
maternalism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

maternal

adjective
ma·​ter·​nal mə-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce maternal (audio)
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 How to pronounce maternal (audio)
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 How to pronounce maternal (audio)
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 How to pronounce maternal (audio)
adverb

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