# natal

/ˈneɪtəɫ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/natal
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. relating to birth

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

relating to the time or place of your birth.

For teachers: relating to or accompanying birth; often used to describe the environment or geographical location where an organism is born.

- Sea turtles always return to their natal beach to lay their eggs.
- The study examined the natal dispersal patterns of young wolves as they left their original packs to establish new territories.

Usage: Commonly used in biological contexts or formal sociological discussions about one's place of origin.

### 2. anatomical buttocks

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

relating to the buttocks.

For teachers: relating to the nates or buttocks.

- The doctor checked the skin around the patient's natal cleft for signs of infection.
- The surgeon noted a small cyst located near the natal cleft, requiring a minor procedure for removal.

Usage: Almost exclusively found in medical or anatomical texts, particularly in the phrase 'natal cleft'.

## Examples

- The mother returned to her natal village to have the baby.
- Sea turtles often travel thousands of miles across the ocean to return to their natal beaches to lay eggs.
- The hospital's natal care unit specializes in monitoring infants who experience complications during the first few days following their delivery.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.