maternity meaning and definition

MATERNITY noun

Definition of maternity (noun)

1. the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus
   • synonyms: gestation, pregnancy
2. the kinship relation between an offspring and the mother
   • synonyms: motherhood
3. the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother
   • "the girl's motherliness made her invaluable in caring for the children"
   • synonyms: maternal quality, maternalism, motherliness