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
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
Advances in childbirth — including prenatal care, Cesarean sections, blood transfusions, antibiotics and neonatal intensive care — also dramatically improved maternal and infant survival compared with colonial America.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
My maternal grandmother was born in Arizona to parents who fled their home country during the Mexican Revolution, becoming an American citizen by birthright.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Michelle Obama is a shining example of this inspirational leadership, the kind also demonstrated by my mother and aunties, my sister and sister- friends, by my pastor and elders, and by my colleagues in the maternal and infant health space.
—
Jallicia Jolly,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
That was huge, because Mary has had the realization that what was supposed to be a nurturing maternal force in her life had a damaging impact on her.
—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
My maternal grandmother was born in Arizona to parents who fled their home country during the Mexican Revolution, becoming an American citizen by birthright.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Michelle Obama is a shining example of this inspirational leadership, the kind also demonstrated by my mother and aunties, my sister and sister- friends, by my pastor and elders, and by my colleagues in the maternal and infant health space.
—
Jallicia Jolly,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
That was huge, because Mary has had the realization that what was supposed to be a nurturing maternal force in her life had a damaging impact on her.
—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for maternal
Cite this Entry
“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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