maternity
nounUK /məˈtɜː.nə.ti/
US /məˈtɝː.nə.t̬i/
Maternity is the time when a woman is going to have a baby.
She took maternity leave from work before her baby was born.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The state of being a mother.
The film celebrates the joys and challenges of maternity.
3. A hospital department that cares for women giving birth.
She was admitted to the maternity ward on Sunday night.
4. Clothing designed for pregnant women.
She bought a few maternity dresses for the summer.