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
In 2020 Trump’s final budget proposed cutting global health programs by 34 percent, including for maternal and child health, nutrition, family planning and infectious diseases.
—
Lawrence O. Gostin, Scientific American, 8 Jan. 2025
Birth and postpartum In 2020, Ukraine’s maternal mortality rate stood at 17 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to a global rate of 223, according to UNICEF.
—Lili Rutai, The Dial, 7 Jan. 2025
The toll of this year’s heat waves in those countries will be heartbreaking: higher rates of pregnancy complications and maternal death, preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality.
—Debra Hendrickson, WIRED, 4 Jan. 2025
As implementation progresses, stakeholders will watch closely to assess its affect on maternal and infant health statistics.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for maternal 
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Lawrence O. Gostin, Scientific American, 8 Jan. 2025
Birth and postpartum In 2020, Ukraine’s maternal mortality rate stood at 17 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to a global rate of 223, according to UNICEF.
—Lili Rutai, The Dial, 7 Jan. 2025
The toll of this year’s heat waves in those countries will be heartbreaking: higher rates of pregnancy complications and maternal death, preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality.
—Debra Hendrickson, WIRED, 4 Jan. 2025
As implementation progresses, stakeholders will watch closely to assess its affect on maternal and infant health statistics.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for maternal
Dictionary Entries Near maternal
Cite this Entry
“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
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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