maternity

1 of 2

noun

ma·​ter·​ni·​ty mə-ˈtər-nə-tē 

plural maternities

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

maternity

2 of 2

adjective

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

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms of maternity

Noun

• fruitfulness
• fertility
• motherliness
• productivity

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

Her maternity style became part of the conversation, celebrating rather than hiding her changing body. — Alex Badia, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

According to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, investigators reviewed social media accounts, a website and a billboard in Latin America that advertised maternity packages at South Texas hospitals to foreign nationals. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2026

Adjective

There are a ton of non-maternity clothes for pregnancy that work just as well—if not better—than those specifically designed for a growing bump. — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 27 Sep. 2025

With a Le Tote Maternity membership, subscribers can choose from both maternity and non-maternity rental styles. — Stacey Nguyen, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing maternity

• maternity leave

Rhymes for maternity

• eternity
• fraternity
• modernity
• paternity
• confraternity
• taciturnity

Kids Definition

maternity

1 of 2 noun

ma·​ter·​ni·​ty mə-ˈtər-nət-ē 

plural maternities

1

: the state of being a mother : motherhood

2

: motherly character or qualities : motherliness

maternity

2 of 2 adjective

1

: designed for wear during pregnancy

maternity clothes

2

: effective for the time around childbirth

maternity leave

Medical Definition

maternity

1 of 2 noun

ma·​ter·​ni·​ty mə-ˈtər-nət-ē 

plural maternities

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

maternity

2 of 2 adjective

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