paternity
Americannoun
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the state of being a father; fatherhood.
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derivation or acquirement from a father.
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origin or authorship.
adjective
noun
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the fact or state of being a father
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( as modifier )
a paternity suit was filed against the man
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descent or derivation from a father
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authorship or origin
the paternity of the theory is disputed
Etymology
Origin of paternity
1400–50; late Middle English paternite < Late Latin paternitās. See paternal, -ity
Explanation
Use the noun paternity to describe the relationship a father has to his child. You might say, "His paternity is so clear — his daughter has the same red hair that he does!" Fatherhood and the connection between a father and child is what paternity is all about, but the word most often comes up in legal situations. Attorneys use the word paternity when there is a question about who a child's biological father is or what kind of financial or legal responsibility he has. The Latin root is paternus, "relating to a father," from pater, "father."
Vocabulary lists containing paternity
It's All in the Family
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Not Your Father's Word List: Pater, Patr
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UCPS 6th Grade Roots List #8
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Notably, studies have shown that paid paternity leave is associated with a reduced risk of maternal postpartum health complications and an increased rate of infants receiving their necessary vaccines on time.
From Salon • May 17, 2026
It’s the first time a healthy Ohtani has been out of back-to-back batting orders, except for the paternity list, since the universal designated hitter rule was implemented in 2022.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
A blood test ordered in a 2016 paternity suit confirmed one of the children, an 11-year-old girl, was Elkins’s child, although she didn’t use his last name, court records show.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
Adam's paternity leave ended and his daily visits had to stop.
From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026
Shut up in the isolation of paternity, Lefty Stephanides concentrated on finding a safer way to make a living.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
