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
Birthday parties and holiday gatherings now come with babies, sober friends and the paternal instinct to grow a mustache.
—
Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
As father and son venture deeper into the wilderness, their journey becomes a meditation on grief, survival and the meaning of paternal instinct.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026
One half to paternal grandparents or their descendants; one half to maternal grandparents or their descendants.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Lauer was a paternal figure who represented stability and safety.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paternal
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Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
As father and son venture deeper into the wilderness, their journey becomes a meditation on grief, survival and the meaning of paternal instinct.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026
One half to paternal grandparents or their descendants; one half to maternal grandparents or their descendants.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Lauer was a paternal figure who represented stability and safety.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 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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