/ Dictionary / Index M maternal: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: ma•ter•nal Pronunciation: (mu-tûr'nl), [key] — adj. of, pertaining to, having the qualities of, or befitting a mother: maternal instincts. related through a mother: his maternal aunt. derived from a mother: maternal genes. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: maternal (Thesaurus) matériel maternalize Related Content Daily Word Quiz: cautious Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language