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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• maternity leaves
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of maternity leave

First recorded in 1965–70

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

maternity leave

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

But she is currently on maternity leave and knows the interest will continue to accrue while her earnings - and therefore monthly repayments - drop.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

To minimize conflict concerns, Mare offhandedly volunteers to temporarily work at the Cincinnati Chronicle, the Teller’s sister paper, while some of its staff members are on maternity leave.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

During Molly's maternity leave, for example, they adjusted the split and she's found it helpful to "view finances as a household".

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 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

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---