paternal
adjective
pa·ter·nal
pə-ˈtər-nᵊl 
1
a
: of or relating to a father
offered his children some paternal advice
paternal responsibilities
b
: like that of a father
paternal benevolence
2
: received or inherited from one's male parent
lived and worked on his paternal farm
3
: related through one's father
paternal grandfather
Examples of paternal in a Sentence
He did not neglect his paternal responsibilities after the divorce.
Recent Examples on the Web
And while all the children have now cut ties with Brad Pitt, Pax, now 23, remains the only one still in contact with his paternal relatives and who has kept his double surname.
—
Anna Zucca,
Vanity Fair,
24 June 2026
Patricia’s paternal grandfather, Cliff Arquette, was a famous radio host and comedian throughout the 1950s and ’60s.
—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
But child welfare experts say the county’s Department of Family and Children’s Services should never have placed Jaxon with his paternal cousin and her children to begin with.
—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
My paternal grandmother treated me differently.
—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paternal
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Anna Zucca,
Vanity Fair,
24 June 2026
Patricia’s paternal grandfather, Cliff Arquette, was a famous radio host and comedian throughout the 1950s and ’60s.
—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
But child welfare experts say the county’s Department of Family and Children’s Services should never have placed Jaxon with his paternal cousin and her children to begin with.
—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
My paternal grandmother treated me differently.
—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paternal
Cite this Entry
“Paternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternal. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paternal
adjective
pa·ter·nal
pə-ˈtərn-ᵊl
1
: fatherly
paternal advice
2
: received or inherited from one's father
3
: related through the father
a paternal grandfather
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