maternity

The state or experience of being a mother.

• She is taking maternity leave.
• The company improved its maternity benefits.
• Her writing explores maternity and family life.

Similar words: motherhood

Opposites: fatherhood

Common phrases: maternity leave, maternity benefits, maternity care

The part of a hospital where women give birth to babies.

• She works in maternity.
• The hospital has opened a new maternity ward.
• They moved her to maternity last night.

Similar words: maternity ward

Common phrases: in maternity, maternity ward, maternity department

The relationship between a woman and the child she gave birth to.

• The records established her maternity.
• The court considered the question of maternity.
• A genetic test confirmed biological maternity.

Opposites: paternity

Common phrases: establish maternity, biological maternity