maternity

1 of 2

noun

ma·​ter·​ni·​ty mə-ˈtər-nə-tē 

plural maternities

1

a

: the quality or state of being a mother : motherhood

b

: the qualities of a mother : motherliness

2

: a hospital facility designed for the care of women before and during childbirth and for the care of newborn babies

maternity

2 of 2

adjective

1

: being or providing care during and immediately before and after childbirth

maternity care

a maternity unit

2

: designed for wear during pregnancy

a maternity dress

3

: effective for the period close to and including childbirth

maternity leave

Did you know?

Maternity and Parts of Speech

Maternity is used as both a noun and an adjective. Maternity benefits are benefits specially provided by employers for women having babies, and usually include maternity leave, time off work. With maternity come maternal feelings, which are shown by all species of warm-blooded animals as well as a few reptiles such as crocodiles and alligators.

Synonyms

Noun

• motherliness

Examples of maternity in a Sentence

Noun

she had such maternity at such a young age that all her classmates went to her for comfort

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On June 1, the first anniversary of the couple's wedding in Amman attended by Prince William, Kate Middleton and other royals from around the world, the Royal Hashemite Court released new maternity photos of the princess, 30. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 3 June 2024

There’s no right or wrong time to buy a maternity suit. —Jessica Booth, Parents, 2 June 2024

Adjective

With a Le Tote Maternity membership, subscribers can choose from both maternity and non-maternity rental styles. —Stacey Nguyen, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2023

Here’s a taste of her maternity style—which is pretty much the same as her non-maternity style. —Whitney Perry, Glamour, 30 Oct. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing maternity

• maternity leave

Kids Definition

maternity

1 of 2 noun

ma·​ter·​ni·​ty mə-ˈtər-nət-ē 

plural maternities

1

: the state of being a mother : motherhood

2

: motherly character or qualities : motherliness

maternity

2 of 2 adjective

1

: designed for wear during pregnancy

maternity clothes

2

: effective for the time around childbirth

maternity leave

Medical Definition

maternity

1 of 2 noun

ma·​ter·​ni·​ty mə-ˈtər-nət-ē 

plural maternities

: a hospital facility designed for the care of women before and during childbirth and for the care of newborn babies

maternity

2 of 2 adjective

1

: being or providing care during and immediately before and after childbirth

maternity care

a maternity unit

2

: designed for wear during pregnancy

maternity clothes

3

: effective for the period close to and including childbirth

maternity leave