¹maternity

noun ma·ter·ni·ty \mə-ˈtər-nə-tē\

: the state of being a mother

plural ma·ter·ni·ties

Full Definition of MATERNITY

a : the quality or state of being a mother : motherhood

b : the qualities of a mother : motherliness

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

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See maternity defined for kids

First Known Use of MATERNITY

1611

Related to MATERNITY

Synonyms: motherliness

Rhymes with MATERNITY

eternity, fraternity, modernity, paternity, quaternity

²maternity

adjective

: designed to be worn by a woman who is pregnant

: relating to the time when a woman gives birth to a baby

—used to refer to an area in a hospital where women who are giving birth to babies are cared for

Full Definition of MATERNITY

: designed for wear during pregnancy <a maternity dress>

: effective for the period close to and including childbirth <maternity leave>

See maternity defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of MATERNITY

1893

Rhymes with MATERNITY

paternity

MATERNITY Defined for Kids

maternity

noun ma·ter·ni·ty \mə-ˈtər-nə-tē\

Definition of MATERNITY for Kids

: the state of being a mother

Word Root of MATERNITY

The Latin word mater, meaning “mother,” gives us the root mater or matr. Anyone or anything maternal, such as a grandparent, is related through the mother's side of the family. Maternity is the state of being a mother. A matriarch is a woman who is the mother and head of a family. A matron is a married woman who may be a mother.