maternity

noun
ma·​ter·​ni·​ty | \ mə-ˈtər-nə-tē How to pronounce maternity (audio) \
plural maternities

Definition of maternity

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

adjective

Definition of maternity (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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Synonyms for maternity

Synonyms: Noun

motherliness

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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.

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

The condition was likely to force her to start her maternity leave early. Kate Cox, Ars Technica, "Google has a problem with pregnant workers, employee memo alleges," 5 Aug. 2019 Although Meghan has been on maternity leave following the birth of her son -- whose full name is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor -- she guest-edited the September issue of British Vogue, which came out on Friday. Amy Woodyatt, CNN, "Prince Harry pays tribute to 'amazing wife' Meghan on her birthday," 4 Aug. 2019 Meghan, who is on maternity leave from her royal duties after the birth of her son Archie, had worked on the project for seven months. Washington Post, "Meghan guest edits UK Vogue, focusing on trailblazing women," 29 July 2019 Women’s movements in Sudan won women the right to vote, the right to equal pay, and the right to maternity leave – often decades before other countries in the region. Ryan Lenora Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "‘A women’s revolution’: Why women are leading calls for change in Sudan," 12 Mar. 2019 Allyson Felix, one of the track and field stars who criticized Nike for its lack of maternity leave policies, will be sponsored by the Gap Inc. brand—with 100% protection that her deal will not be compromised by any future pregnancies. Fortune, "Busting Another Boardroom Myth: The Broadsheet," 31 July 2019 Women gain entry by using a smartphone app or calling the maternity unit. John Laidler, BostonGlobe.com, "Newton-Wellesley hospital installs ‘pod’ for breast-feeding women," 31 July 2019 Near the end of the book, after Mallon is traced to a typhoid outbreak at the Sloane Hospital for Women, a maternity hospital in Manhattan, Bourdain adopts a harder edge toward his subject. Tim Carman, Washington Post, "Overlooked among his many books, Anthony Bourdain’s ‘Typhoid Mary’ is a revelation in 2019," 30 July 2019 And while Johnson’s record of sexism is lengthy, Swinson has earned a reputation as an active feminist campaigner, notably promoting the right to maternity leave in parliament. Parker Richards, The New Republic, "The Woman Who Could Beat Boris Johnson," 29 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The world’s largest maternity clothes seller has brought on Berkeley Research Group LLC, the people said. Lillian Rizzo, WSJ, "Destination Maternity Hires Adviser Amid Retail Turmoil," 23 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maternity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of maternity

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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More Definitions for maternity

maternity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of maternity

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: the state of being a mother

maternity

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of maternity (Entry 2 of 2)

: designed to be worn by a woman who is pregnant
: relating to the time when a woman gives birth to a baby
used to refer to an area in a hospital where women who are giving birth to babies are cared for

maternity

noun
ma·​ter·​ni·​ty | \ mə-ˈtər-nə-tē How to pronounce maternity (audio) \

Kids Definition of maternity

: the state of being a mother

maternity

noun
ma·​ter·​ni·​ty | \ mə-ˈtər-nət-ē How to pronounce maternity (audio) \
plural maternities

Medical Definition of maternity

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

maternity

adjective

Medical Definition of maternity (Entry 2 of 2)

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