pa·ter·ni·ty
pə-ˈtər-nə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being a father
2
: origin or descent from a father
1
: granted to a father
paternity leave
paternity rights
2
: of or relating to the determination of paternity
a paternity suit
Examples of paternity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Michelle Lee, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
By Jessica Radloff December 11, 2024 The truth about William’s paternity on Outlander had to come out at some point—and boy did it ever at the end of episode 711, when Jamie’s son discovered that Lord John Grey was not his father after all.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 11 Dec. 2024
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
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Noun
In an October 2024 interview with W Magazine, A$AP Rocky shared how paternity has also impacted the non-sartorial areas of his life.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
By Jessica Radloff December 11, 2024 The truth about William’s paternity on Outlander had to come out at some point—and boy did it ever at the end of episode 711, when Jamie’s son discovered that Lord John Grey was not his father after all.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The myth that 10 percent of children the product of 'non-paternity events' is rather persistent.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
See all Example Sentences for paternity
Dictionary Entries Near paternity
Cite this Entry
“Paternity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternity. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
paternity
noun
pa·ter·ni·ty
pə-ˈtər-nə-tē
1
: the quality or state of being a father
2
: origin or descent from a father
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