maternity leave

A woman is on maternity leave and spends time with her newborn baby.

Definition

1. Noun (uncountable):
   • Leave of absence from employment: "Maternity leave" refers to a period of time that a mother is legally allowed to be away from her job after giving birth or adopting a child, typically with job protection and sometimes with pay.
   • Time off for childbirth and recovery: It specifically denotes the time off granted to a woman for pregnancy, childbirth, and initial childcare.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She took six months of maternity leave after her baby was born. (She was absent from work for six months following childbirth.)
  • The company offers paid maternity leave to all employees. (The employer provides salary continuation during the leave period.)
  • Her maternity leave ended last week, and she returned to her job. (The authorized absence from work concluded.)

Advanced Usage

• "To go on maternity leave": to begin the period of absence from work.

  • She went on maternity leave two weeks before her due date. (She started her leave early to prepare for childbirth.)

• "To be on maternity leave": to be in the state of being absent from work for this reason.

  • He is currently on maternity leave as a primary caregiver. (He is taking time off to care for a newborn, though the term is traditionally for mothers.)

Variants and Related Words

• Maternity (noun/adj): the state of being a mother; related to childbirth.

  • The hospital has a maternity ward. (A department for childbirth care.)

• Paternity leave (noun): a period of absence from work for a father after the birth or adoption of a child.

  • He took two weeks of paternity leave to help care for the baby. (Time off for the father.)

• Parental leave (noun): a broader term covering both maternity and paternity leave, often including adoption.

  • The company offers 12 weeks of parental leave for either parent. (Leave for both mothers and fathers.)

Synonyms

• Childbirth leave: a more formal or legal term for leave due to childbirth.
• Maternity absence: a direct synonym, often used in official documents.

Related Idioms

• "To take leave": to take time off from work (general idiom).

  • She took leave to care for her newborn. (She used her maternity leave.)

• "To be on leave": to be absent from work with permission.

  • She is on maternity leave until next month. (She is officially absent from work.)