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

maternally

mə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms

• mother
• motherly

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

Henrik lives with his boyfriend, Sebastian, though no one, least of all Isabel, who maintains a maternal closeness to her younger brother, can admit the nature of his relationship. —Chloe Schama, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024

The Council has taken action to confront the maternal mortality public health emergency, passing laws to provide free doula care in underserved communities and establishing postpartum support groups to help mothers during and after pregnancy. —Crystal Hudson, New York Daily News, 23 Dec. 2024

The spokesperson forwarded a 73-page update on the maternal mortality crisis that had been sent to Congress this past July. —Kavitha Surana, ProPublica, 20 Dec. 2024

This turn toward the maternal is key to other directives that Roz assigns herself out of an emerging desire to help the animals survive. —Elvia Wilk, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024

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

Kids 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

maternally

-ᵊl-ē 

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 

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 

adverb