noun
maternity
muh-TUR-nih-tee
noun
1
The condition or period of being pregnant or being a new mother.
"She took a year of maternity leave after her son was born."
2
The section of a hospital where babies are delivered.
"They rushed her to the maternity ward just after midnight."
How to Use Maternity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with being pregnant or having just given birth.
Common pairings
maternity leave
maternity ward
maternity clothes
Word Forms
maternities plural
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She took a year of _____ leave after her son was born.
Etymology
From French maternité, from Latin māternitās.