Parental describes anything relating to parents or the role of being a parent. When schools require parental permission for field trips, they need a signature from your parent or guardian. When you hear about parental guidance, it means parents should help decide if something is appropriate for their children.

The word captures the unique relationship between parents and their kids. Parental love is the deep care parents feel for their children. Parental responsibility includes all the duties parents take on: making sure you're fed, safe, educated, and healthy. Parental authority is the right parents have to set rules and make decisions for their household.

You'll see this word in many contexts. Movies have parental advisory labels warning about content that might concern parents. Teachers might ask for parental involvement in homework or school activities. A doctor might request parental consent before treating a child.

It's an adjective, so it always describes something else: parental rights, parental instincts, parental concerns. Understanding this word helps you recognize when adults are acting in their specific role as parents, protecting and guiding the children in their care.