Dictionary.com

parental

[ puh-ren-tl ]
/ pəˈrɛn tl /
See synonyms for parental on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of or relating to a parent.
proper to or characteristic of a parent: parental feelings.
having the relation of a parent
Genetics. pertaining to the sequence of generations preceding the filial generation, each generation being designated by a P followed by a subscript number indicating its place in the sequence.

noun Usually the parentals .

Informal. one's parent: I'm headed for a vacation with the parentals.Also called pa·ren·tal u·nit [puh-ren-tl yoo-nit] /pəˈrɛn tl ˈyu nɪt/ .

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Origin of parental

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin parentālis “of, belonging to parents,” equivalent to parent- “parent” + -ālis adjective suffix; see parent, -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM parental

Words nearby parental

parenchymatous keratitis, parenchymatous neuritis, parens, parent, parentage, parental, parental generation, parental home, parental leave, parent cell, parent company
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to parental

fatherly, maternal, paternal, affectionate, benevolent, benign, comforting, devoted, fond, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, kind, loving, motherly, protective, tender, warm, watchful, supportive

Example sentences from the Web for parental

British Dictionary definitions for parental

parental
/ (pəˈrɛntəl) /

adjective

of or relating to a parent or parenthood
genetics designating the first generation in a line, which gives rise to all succeeding (filial) generations

Derived forms of parental

parentally, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for parental

parental
[ pə-rĕn′tl ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or characteristic of a parent.
Of or designating the generation of organisms from which hybrid offspring are produced.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.