maternity Meaning, Definition & Usage

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

WordNet

Ma*ter"ni*ty noun
Etymology
F. maternité, LL. maternitas.
Definitions
  1. The state of being a mother; the character or relation of a mother.

Webster 1913