# maternity

/məˈtɝnɪti/ (US) · /mətˈɜːnɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/maternity
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. motherhood

noun · CEFR B2

the state of being a mother.

For teachers: the state or condition of being a mother; motherhood.

- She felt that maternity had changed her perspective on life completely.
- The transition into maternity often involves a profound shift in both personal identity and social responsibility.

### 2. hospital department

noun · CEFR B2

the part of a hospital where women go to give birth to their babies.

For teachers: a hospital ward or department specialising in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.

- The family waited in the maternity ward for news of the new baby.
- The hospital recently renovated its maternity wing to include private suites and advanced neonatal monitoring equipment.

### 3. related to pregnancy

adjective · CEFR B2

used to describe things for women who are pregnant, like clothes or time off work.

For teachers: relating to or designed for pregnancy or the period immediately following childbirth; used attributively.

- She bought some comfortable maternity clothes to wear during her second trimester.
- The company offers a generous maternity leave package that includes full pay for the first six months.

Usage: Always used before a noun, such as 'maternity leave' or 'maternity clothes'.

## Examples

- She is currently on maternity leave to care for her newborn.
- The hospital recently opened a new maternity ward with private rooms for mothers and their infants.
- Legislation regarding maternity protections varies significantly across borders, with some nations offering extensive paid leave while others provide only minimal job security for new parents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.