what does maternal mean

“Maternal” means “related to a mother,” both in a literal and in an emotional or family sense.

Core meanings of “maternal”

• Of or relating to a mother, or having motherly qualities, like caring, protective, and nurturing behavior.

• Related through the mother’s side of the family, as in “maternal aunt” (your mother’s sister) or “maternal grandmother” (your mother’s mother).

• In biology or medicine, something that comes from the mother or her body, like “maternal genes” or “maternal health.”

So if someone says a person is “maternal,” they usually mean they are warm, caring, and behave in a motherly way, whether or not they actually have children.