parental

[puh-ren-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.

Origin of parental

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

Related formspa·ren·tal·ly, adverbin·ter·par·en·tal, adjectivenon·pa·ren·tal, adjectivenon·pa·ren·tal·ly, adverbpost·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

Related Words for parental

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

Examples from the Web for parental

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of parental

The voice of parental and conjugal tenderness was silent in the grave!
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I
Francis Augustus Cox
I suspect that he was shocked at my neglect of parental duties.
Some Reminiscences
Joseph Conrad
Did they realize that it was poured before the altar of parental devotion?
Peak and Prairie
Anna Fuller
The mighty machines were far too powerful for the prejudices of parental hearts.
Socialism
John Spargo
And now, together with my parental blessing, I bequeath to you this doll.
Russian Fairy Tales
W. R. S. Ralston

British Dictionary definitions for parental

parental

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 Formsparentally, 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

Word Origin and History for parental

adj.

1620s, from Latin parentalis "of parents," from parens (see parent (n.)). Related: Parentally.

parental in Medicine

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.