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
Esther Kang, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Nico had a son in 1962, Ari, but Delon never recognized paternity for the child.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2024
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
See all Example Sentences for paternity 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
This season, the show's diligence over several social media controversies, including Tyler Francis' paternity bombshell, came under scrutiny by fans
Comments
Warning: this post contains spoilers from the Love Is Blind season 7 reunion.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Nico had a son in 1962, Ari, but Delon never recognized paternity for the child.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Aug. 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 21 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share