maternity leave

American  

noun

• maternity leaves
  plural

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

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maternity leave British  

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• maternity leaves
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of maternity leave

First recorded in 1965–70

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

maternity leave

"I accept the officer's submission in relation to her difficult personal and medical circumstances at the time and seeking to reintegrate herself back into policing after her maternity leave and absence."

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

A West Midlands Police misconduct hearing acknowledged PC Shannon Parsons felt "isolated and disconnected" due to working part-time and returning from maternity leave, but had breached standards of professional behaviour.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

It included a French literature teacher at the Lycee Blaise-Cendrars in the town of Sevran, who said she was not replaced for six months before key exams during her maternity leave.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

Natalie Parker, who joined as a baker while on maternity leave in 2024 and now runs the group, said the thought of a child not having a birthday cake was "heart-breaking".

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

It was a good workplace, allowing her to take six weeks of maternity leave after Lexie’s birth, then Trip’s, then Moody’s.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

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