1. A custom in some cultures in which a father takes to bed and observes certain restrictions during or after the birth of his child, as if he were the one giving birth.
Usage: anthropology; plural of couvade; also spelled couvade

Examples

• Anthropologists have documented couvades in various cultures around the world.
• The practice of couvades reflects the father's symbolic participation in childbirth.
• In some societies, couvades involve the father fasting or avoiding certain foods after the baby is born.
• Researchers study couvades to understand different cultural approaches to paternity and family roles.