maternity leave

noun

1. a leave of absence for an expectant or new mother for the birth and care of the baby.

maternity leave

noun

1. a period of paid absence from work, in Britain currently six months, to which a woman is legally entitled during the months immediately before and after childbirth

Word History and Origins

Origin of maternity leave¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

During maternity leave for her younger child, Cora meets a scruffily cool husband and father named Sam at a local baby group and feels an immediate attraction.

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When one agent was pregnant and went on maternity leave, they brought a rattle made from the throat of a howler monkey for the baby to play with.

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Ms Walker, who is currently on maternity leave with her three-month-old baby, said she already had an outstanding bill with her energy supplier "because they increased our prices last Christmas".

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Willow, pregnant and officially on maternity leave, hastens to assist him in sifting through suspects.

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This includes checking which benefits you are entitled to and ensuring your employer still contributes to your pension based on your salary as it was before maternity leave.

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