Maternity Leave: Meaning, Duration, and Eligibility

Meaning 1：Maternity leave (Maternity leave)

Maternity leave 🔊

/məˈtɜːrnɪti liːv/

Time off work for a woman to have a baby and care for the newborn.

Maternity leave 🔊

➕

/məˈtɜːrnɪti liːv/

Paid or unpaid time off from work granted to a mother before and after childbirth to care for her newborn.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Latin 'mater' (mother) and Old English 'lief' (permission).

💡 Mnemonic

Remember 'mater' (mother) + 'leave' = time off for a new mother.

📖 Example

My colleague is on maternity leave for six months after having her baby. 🔊 My colleague is on maternity leave for six months after having her baby.

🔗 Collocations

take maternity leave – To start a period of time off for childbirth and child care.

paid maternity leave – Maternity leave during which the mother receives full or partial salary.

maternity leave policy – Company or government regulations regarding time off for new mothers.

🔄 Synonyms

parental leave (n.) – Time off from work granted to either parent to care for a newborn or adopted child.

childbirth leave (n.) – Leave specifically for the period around giving birth.

🌱 Derivatives

maternity (n.) – The state of being a mother; motherhood.

maternity-related (adj.) – Connected with pregnancy, childbirth, or motherhood.

📖 Cultural Story

Maternity leave originated in the late 19th century; the UK's 1891 Factory Act first granted unpaid leave. Now it's a standard employment right in many countries.