pa·ter·ni·ty
pə-ˈtər-nə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being a father
2
: origin or descent from a father
1
: granted to a father
paternity leave
paternity rights
2
: of or relating to the determination of paternity
a paternity suit
Examples of paternity in a Sentence
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Director and co-writer Domingo González piles on the telenovela-style twists, including mysterious figures from the past, villainous doppelgängers, and a surprise paternity reveal.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
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Noun
What To Know Musk, 53, has children with at least three women, while a fourth, St. Clair, is seeking to confirm paternity.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Director and co-writer Domingo González piles on the telenovela-style twists, including mysterious figures from the past, villainous doppelgängers, and a surprise paternity reveal.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The myth that 10 percent of children the product of 'non-paternity events' is rather persistent.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2012
See All Example Sentences for paternity
Cite this Entry
“Paternity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternity. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
paternity
noun
pa·ter·ni·ty
pə-ˈtər-nə-tē
1
: the quality or state of being a father
2
: origin or descent from a father
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