maternity

[ muh-tur-ni-tee ]

noun

1. the state of being a mother; motherhood.
2. motherly quality; motherliness.
3. a section of a hospital devoted to the care of women at childbirth and of their newborn infants.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or for the period in which a woman is pregnant or has just given birth to a child.
2. for mothers during and after childbirth or for the care of their newborn babies:

   a maternity hospital.

3. for wear by pregnant women:

   maternity clothes.

maternity

/ məˈtɜːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. motherhood
2. the characteristics associated with motherhood; motherliness
3. modifier relating to pregnant women or women at the time of childbirth

   a maternity ward

Other Words From

• prema·terni·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maternity¹

1605–15; < Medieval Latin māternitās, equivalent to Latin mātern ( us ) ( maternal ) + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

The Department for Health and social care said it was "unacceptable" that anyone should feel let down by maternity support services.

From BBC

“Nothing is ever really lost. Welcome back,” Fox captioned a pair of photos — one, a maternity portrait, and another, a black and white shot of a positive pregnancy test.

From Los Angeles Times

"Childcare costs are soaring, maternity policies are limited, women basically have to think really hard," she says.

From BBC

Those that experience pregnancy loss after 24 weeks, known as stillbirth, are entitled to statutory maternity or paternity leave and pay.

From BBC

Cases where babies have been accidentally swapped on maternity wards are practically unheard of in the UK.

From BBC