Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to birth: Pertaining to or associated with the time, place, or circumstances of one's birth.
   • Relating to the buttocks: (Medical/Anatomical) Of or concerning the buttocks or natal cleft.

2. Noun (Proper noun):

   • A historical region in South Africa: A former province on the Indian Ocean coast, now part of KwaZulu-Natal.
   • A city in Brazil: A port city in northeastern Brazil.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective (relating to birth):
  • The hospital keeps detailed records of all natal care.
  • Her natal day is a national holiday in her country.
• Adjective (relating to buttocks):
  • The doctor examined the natal cleft for any abnormalities.
• Noun (Proper noun - place):
  • He was born in Natal, Brazil.
  • The Battle of Blood River took place in the region of Natal.

Advanced Usage

• "Natal chart" (Astrology): A diagram representing the positions of the planets at the time of a person's birth.
  • Her natal chart suggested a strong creative potential.
• "Natal homing" (Biology): The instinct of an animal to return to its birthplace to breed.
  • Salmon are famous for their natal homing behavior.

Variants and Related Words

• Prenatal (adj): Occurring or existing before birth.
  • Prenatal vitamins are important for fetal development.
• Perinatal (adj): Relating to the time immediately before and after birth.
• Postnatal (adj): Relating to the period after childbirth.
  • Postnatal depression can affect new mothers.

Synonyms

• Adjective (birth): Birth-related, native.
• Adjective (buttocks): Gluteal.

Related Phrases

• Natal day: (Formal/Literary) Birthday.
  • He returned to his hometown on his natal day.
• Natal influence: An effect presumed to be caused by the conditions at one's birth.
  • Astrologers study natal influences.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary and most common use of natal as an adjective relates to birth. The anatomical meaning ("relating to the buttocks") is highly specialized and used almost exclusively in medical contexts.
• As a proper noun (Natal), it is always capitalized and refers specifically to the places in South Africa and Brazil.

Adjective

1. of or relating to the buttocks
2. relating to or accompanying birth
   • natal injuries
   • natal day
   • natal influences

Noun

1. a port city in northeastern Brazil
2. a region of eastern South Africa on the Indian Ocean
   • Natal was renamed KwaZulu-Natal in 1994