Definitions

1. adjective

relating to or characteristic of a father or fathers; paternal

“He inherited his paternal sense of responsibility from his grandfather.”

2. noun

the relationships between parents and their children

“The family’s paternal bonds were strengthened after their annual reunion.”

3. noun

a father or a male ancestor

“He is the patriarch of the paternal line of his family.”

4. noun

a man who is the father of a child or children, especially a married man who has children

“The paternal figure in the story was a single mother who raised her children on her own.”