pawternity leave UK /pɔːˈtɜːnɪti ˌliːv/US /pɔˈtɜɹnəti ˌliv/ noun1 •(informal) Time off work granted to an employee to take care of a pet, especially a cat or dog.He hoped that his pawternity leave could provide him with proper time required to train his new dog. formspawternity leaves