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
Both their maternal grandparents, Fátima Valencia and Narciso Mucutuy, and Ranoque, Tien and Cristin's father, have requested to have legal custody.
—
Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Thus, the film evolves into a twisted take on the maternal bond between Peter and Wendy Darling, especially when Ben can’t bring himself to strangle Sasha to death during the film’s climax.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Heppner lost several family members to concentration camps, including his maternal grandfather, who was murdered in Sobibor in occupied Poland with two brothers.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
The male pup was diagnosed with malnutrition, maternal separation, and unknown trauma, the center said.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Thus, the film evolves into a twisted take on the maternal bond between Peter and Wendy Darling, especially when Ben can’t bring himself to strangle Sasha to death during the film’s climax.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Heppner lost several family members to concentration camps, including his maternal grandfather, who was murdered in Sobibor in occupied Poland with two brothers.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
The male pup was diagnosed with malnutrition, maternal separation, and unknown trauma, the center said.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
Cite this Entry
“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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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