<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>The state of being a mother; motherhood.</li><li>Motherly quality; motherliness.</li><li>A section of a hospital devoted to the care of women at childbirth and of their newborn infants.</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>Of, relating to, or for the period in which a woman is pregnant or has just given birth to a child.</li><li>For mothers during and after childbirth or for the care of their newborn babies: a maternity hospital.</li><li>For wear by pregnant women: maternity clothes.</li></ul>