maternal

[ muh-tur-nl ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, having the qualities of, or befitting a mother:

   maternal instincts.

2. related through a mother:

   his maternal aunt.

3. derived from a mother:

   maternal genes.

maternal

/ məˈtɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, derived from, or characteristic of a mother
2. related through the mother's side of the family

   his maternal uncle

Derived Forms

• maˈternally, adverb
• maˈternalism, noun
• maˌternalˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• ma·ternal·ism noun
• ma·ternal·istic adjective
• ma·ternal·ly adverb
• nonma·ternal adjective
• nonma·ternal·ly adverb
• quasi-ma·ternal adjective
• quasi-ma·ternal·ly adverb
• unma·ternal adjective
• unma·ternal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of maternal¹

1475–85; < Medieval Latin māternālis, equivalent to Latin mātern ( us ) ( māter mother ¹ + -nus adj. suffix) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of maternal¹

C15: from Medieval Latin māternālis, from Latin māternus, from māter mother

Example Sentences

As scholars who study prenatal and postnatal stress, maternal nutrition and the brain development of children, we can tell you the pandemic has dramatically changed the pregnancy experience.

From No Straight News

After a brief stay in the home of her father and stepmother, Stewart had moved in with her maternal uncle, Steve Blake, and his wife, Laura, who was a schoolteacher.

From ProPublica

Female cubs that reach adulthood can grow a maternal line, which helps boost that family group’s rank.

From Science News

My maternal grandfather was a house painter, and his dad before him, and his dad before him, and so on, going back before the Civil War.

From Ozy

And, Golding’s team showed, kids whose maternal grandmothers smoked while pregnant were slightly more likely to have autism than were kids whose maternal grandmothers didn’t smoke.

From Science News For Students

Advanced maternal age dramatically increases the risk of maternal mortality as well as birth defects like Down Syndrome.

From The Daily Beast

Genes passed down through the maternal side, though, were found to be a “perfect mitochondrial match.”

From The Daily Beast

Some women who want to be mothers and have maternal love to give should have the ability to do just that.

From The Daily Beast

There were rising export numbers, education programs, and maternal health efforts.

From The Daily Beast

How her role became more “maternal rather than marital,” and branding Hawking an “all-powerful emperor” and “masterly puppeteer.”

From The Daily Beast

In passing to her own chamber she met the Emperor, and, in the agitation of her maternal fears, told him all that had passed.

From Project Gutenberg

Here Letty drew the coverlet from the face of the sleeping babe, and displayed his chubby proportions with maternal pride.

From Project Gutenberg

If any one doubts it let him compare the matrimonial opportunities of the ugly maternal girl and the ugly clever girl.

From Project Gutenberg

Her mother pressed the coveted treasure to her bosom with maternal love, more calm, and deep, and enduring.

From Project Gutenberg

An offer which Jane received from a very honest, industrious, and thrifty jeweler, aroused anew a mother's maternal solicitude.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• parental