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
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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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
Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
In 2020-22, there were an excess of over 10,000 preterm births among people living in maternity care deserts or limited-access counties, the group says.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2024
With a Le Tote Maternity membership, subscribers can choose from both maternity and non-maternity rental styles.
—Stacey Nguyen, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for maternity
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Noun
The services offered through maternity wards also tend to see low reimbursement rates, unlike cardiac care, orthopedic surgery and other specialized services.
—Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
In 2020-22, there were an excess of over 10,000 preterm births among people living in maternity care deserts or limited-access counties, the group says.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
Adjective
In short, Aid for Women offers pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, as well as social services, including counseling, parenting courses, material resources, maternity housing, post-maternity housing, insurance assistance and referrals to other medical and social service providers — all absolutely free.
—Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2024
With a Le Tote Maternity membership, subscribers can choose from both maternity and non-maternity rental styles.
—Stacey Nguyen, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for maternity
Cite this Entry
“Maternity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternity. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 adjective1
: 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 adjective1
: 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
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