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
As maternal design evolves, so does the way people shop for mothers, especially around Mother’s Day.
—
Footwear News, 15 May 2026
The maternal mortality rate for Black women is more than three times that of white women, according to the CDC’s latest figures.
—Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 15 May 2026
Initially, the authors found maternal antidepressant use during pregnancy was linked with a 35% higher risk of ADHD and a 69% higher risk of autism without intellectual disabilities.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Malaria incidence has increased, measles coverage remains below the threshold needed to prevent outbreaks, and maternal and child mortality decline is slowing, the report found.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Footwear News, 15 May 2026
The maternal mortality rate for Black women is more than three times that of white women, according to the CDC’s latest figures.
—Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 15 May 2026
Initially, the authors found maternal antidepressant use during pregnancy was linked with a 35% higher risk of ADHD and a 69% higher risk of autism without intellectual disabilities.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Malaria incidence has increased, measles coverage remains below the threshold needed to prevent outbreaks, and maternal and child mortality decline is slowing, the report found.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 13 May 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 20 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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