Main Entry: ¹ma·ter·ni·ty

Pronunciation: \mə-ˈtər-nə-tē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural ma·ter·ni·ties

Date: 1611

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