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
maternally
mə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē
adverb 
Synonyms
- mother
- motherly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 2022, Black Maternal Health Week brought with it tens of millions of dollars in funding explicitly earmarked for addressing racial health disparities in maternal health. 
Alexander Chaitoff, STAT, 1 Sep. 2022 Why is nutrition is so important for maternal health? Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 18 Aug. 2022 Deena Shakir, who led the investment for Lux, compares its potential growth to that of the women's and family health unicorn Maven, which initially focused on maternal health. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 25 July 2022 The Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade is a major blow to maternal health. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 19 July 2022 Kosoglu has advised Harris on a range of issues, including maternal health, reproductive rights, broadband access, and voting rights. BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2022 Still, advocates of the administration's actions warn that words alone won't solve the country's maternal health problems. Jasmine Wright And Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 7 Dec. 2021 Researchers at the University of Colorado have estimated that rates of maternal deaths will rise now that Roe has been overturned. New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Worldwide, poor nutrition is the cause of 20 percent of maternal deaths every year. Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 18 Aug. 2022 See More
Alexander Chaitoff, STAT, 1 Sep. 2022 Why is nutrition is so important for maternal health? Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 18 Aug. 2022 Deena Shakir, who led the investment for Lux, compares its potential growth to that of the women's and family health unicorn Maven, which initially focused on maternal health. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 25 July 2022 The Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade is a major blow to maternal health. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 19 July 2022 Kosoglu has advised Harris on a range of issues, including maternal health, reproductive rights, broadband access, and voting rights. BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2022 Still, advocates of the administration's actions warn that words alone won't solve the country's maternal health problems. Jasmine Wright And Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 7 Dec. 2021 Researchers at the University of Colorado have estimated that rates of maternal deaths will rise now that Roe has been overturned. New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Worldwide, poor nutrition is the cause of 20 percent of maternal deaths every year. Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 18 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French maternel, from Medieval Latin maternalis, from Latin maternus, from mater mother — more at mother
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
maternal
adjective
ma·ter·nal mə-ˈtər-nᵊl
1
: of or relating to a mother
maternal instincts
2
: related through the mother
maternal grandparents
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
maternal
adjective
as in mother
of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother her maternal instincts told her that something was wrong Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- mother
- parental
- motherly
- feminine
- female
- womanly
- caring
- nurturing
- matronly
- womanlike
- matriarchal
- giving
- womanish