Paternity leave Meaning and Definition
Paternity leave
Pronunciation
/ˈpætrnɪti ˈliːv/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A period of time granted to a father or co-parenting partner, typically after the birth of a child, to care for and bond with the child, and to support their partner or other family members.
Examples
- The company offered all new dads three months of paternity leave to spend time with their newborns.
- The couple decided to take turns rotating paternity leave to ensure both parents had quality time with their infant.
Synonyms
- Parental leave
- Father’s leave
- Family leave
Antonyms
- Maternity leave
- Elderly leave
Etymology
The term “paternity leave” is derived from the Latin words “pater,” meaning father, and “nexus,” meaning leave or absence.
Usage Notes
In some countries, paternity leave is mandatory, while in others, it is optional and varies depending on the employer and company policies.
Cultural References
Paternity leave has been featured in films and TV shows such as “The Nest” and “This Is Us,” highlighting the importance of shared parental responsibilities.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
A daddy’s gotta do what a daddy’s gotta do
Related Words or Phrases
- Parenting leave
- Family-friendly policies
Collocations
- Take paternity leave
- Use paternity leave
Frequency of Use
Paternity leave is becoming increasingly common and accepted globally, with many countries implementing or considering similar policies.
Common Misspellings
- Paternity leve
- Paternity leive