Paternity Leave Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1：paternity leave (Paternity leave)

Paternity leave 🔊

/pəˈtɜːrnɪti liːv/

n. phr.

A period of paid time off work for fathers after their child is born, so they can help at home.

paternity leave 🔊

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/pəˈtɜːrnɪti liːv/

n. phr.

A period of time granted to a father following the birth of his child, typically with pay, to care for the newborn and support the mother.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'paternitas' (fatherhood) and Old English 'lēaf' (permission).

💡 Mnemonic

Remember 'pater' (father) + 'leave' = time off for dad; think of a father leaving work to care for baby.

📖 Example

Mark was thrilled to take paternity leave for four weeks after his daughter was born, so he could help his wife and bond with the baby. 🔊 Mark felt excited to take paternity leave for four weeks after his daughter was born, allowing him to assist his wife and connect with his baby.

🔗 Collocations

take paternity leave – to use the allocated time off from work for fathers after childbirth

paternity leave policy – the company rules regarding time off for new fathers

paid paternity leave – paternity leave during which the father receives his regular salary

🔄 Synonyms

parental leave (n. phr.) – Time off work for either parent after childbirth.

baby bonding leave (n. phr.) – Leave specifically for bonding with a newborn.

📖 Cultural Story

Paternity leave gained recognition in the 1970s as gender equality movements advocated for fathers' rights; Sweden was among the first to enact paid leave.