maternité

maternity

noun mah-tehr-nee-TEH Rare

Origin: Latin maternitas

Also means

maternity ward, motherhood

Usage Note

Maternité covers the concept of motherhood, a maternity ward in a hospital, and maternity leave (congé maternité). Saying elle est en maternité typically means she has gone to give birth or is on maternity leave, depending on context. The adjective maternel(le) means 'maternal' and also appears in école maternelle (nursery/kindergarten).

Examples

"Elle a accouché à la maternité de l'hôpital Saint-Louis."

Natural Translation

She gave birth at the maternity ward of Saint-Louis hospital.

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