'Maternity' definitions:

Definition of 'maternity'

From: WordNet
noun
The state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus [syn: pregnancy, gestation, maternity]
noun
The kinship relation between an offspring and the mother [syn: motherhood, maternity]
noun
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" [syn: motherliness, maternalism, maternal quality, maternity]

Definition of 'Maternity'

From: GCIDE
  • Maternity \Ma*ter"ni*ty\, n. [F. maternit['e], LL. maternitas.]
  • 1. The state of being a mother; motherhood. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The character of a mother; maternal quality; motherliness. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. The maternity ward; the maternity department of a hospital. [PJC]

Definition of 'maternity'

From: GCIDE
  • maternity \ma*ter"ni*ty\, a.
  • 1. Of or pertaining to childbirth or the period during which a woman is pregnant; as, maternity care; a maternity hospital. [PJC]
  • 2. For use during pregnancy; as, a maternity outfit. [PJC]

Synonyms of 'maternity'

From: Moby Thesaurus