parental

[ puh-ren-tl ]

/ pəˈrɛn tl /

SEE MORE 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 parentals. Also called parental unit.

Informal. one's parent (often preceded by the): I'm headed for a vacation with the parentals.

Nearby words

parent metal, parent teacher association, parent-in-law, parent-teacher association, parentage, parental, parental generation, parental home, parental leave, parenteral, parenteric fever

Origin of parental

1615–25; < Latin parentālis “of, belonging to parents,” equivalent to parent- parent + -ālis -al¹

Related forms

pa·ren·tal·ly, adverbin·ter·par·en·tal, adjectivenon·pa·ren·tal, adjectivenon·pa·ren·tal·ly, adverb

post·pa·ren·tal, adjectiveun·pa·ren·tal, adjectiveun·pa·ren·tal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for parental

Some seventy-plus countries currently offer some paternity leave or parental leave days reserved for the father.
How Good Dads Can Change the World|Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The court papers are sealed, but the couple has made it clear they want to be relieved of their parental responsibilities.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking|Tina Traster|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The parental fold may be about to envelope you—and yet also drive you mad.
How to Make It Through Thanksgiving Alive|Lizzie Crocker|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And at $29.99, lighting up all sense of parental dignity and responsibility costs less than a carton of actual cigarettes.
Sexy Ebola Nurse & More of the Year’s Worst Halloween Costumes|Kevin Fallon|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Granted, Apple and Facebook have made tremendous strides in terms of expanding their parental leave policies over the years.
Don’t Be Fooled by Apple and Facebook, Egg Freezing Is Not a Benefit|Samantha Allen|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Why, in spite of parental opposition, I loved Jimmie, is not hard to guess.
Aladdin & Co.|Herbert Quick
We spare the reader a shocking scene of filial and parental reproaches.
Tales And Novels, Volume 7 (of 10)|Maria Edgeworth
Almost every one present sympathized with his emotion, and ascribed it to parental sorrow.
The Entail|John Galt
That God should create men who are naturally sinners is inconsistent with his parental character.
History of Rationalism Embracing a Survey of the Present State of Protestant Theology|John F. Hurst
Parental and filial feelings sufficed for nothing between them beyond the ecstasy of a caress.
John Caldigate|Anthony Trollope

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

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

Medicine 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.