spay

verb

ˈspā How to pronounce spay (audio)
 nonstandard  ˈspād
spayed ˈspād How to pronounce spay (audio)
 nonstandard  ˈspā-dəd
; spaying ˈspā-iŋ How to pronounce spay (audio)
 nonstandard  ˈspā-diŋ

transitive verb

: to remove the ovaries and uterus of (a female animal)

Examples of spay in a Sentence

Our cat has been spayed.
Recent Examples on the Web Shiva is spayed, current on vaccinations and preventatives. Stephanie Baillargeon-McCurry and, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2024 Peanut is spayed, microchipped, licensed and current on vaccinations, and her adoption fee is $325. The Republic, The Arizona Republic, 2 Feb. 2024 And once or twice a month, the group tries to trap them in cages — sometimes using chicken nuggets or homemade bait — so they can be neutered or spayed by veterinarians. María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 Advertisement Many clinics considered spaying and neutering animals nonessential during the height of the pandemic and cut back on performing the procedures. Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2023 Particularly close to my heart was the ability our vast popularity gave me to remind our entire audience daily about the importance of spaying and neutering your pets. Lynette Rice, EW.com, 26 Aug. 2023 Several cities and counties in California, including San Bernardino County, have passed ordinances that don’t allow residents to own or keep pit bulls that haven’t been spayed or neutered, with limited exceptions. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024 After the feral cats taking part in the event have been named and then spayed or neutered, they will be released back to the feral feline colony, where they were found as part of Homeward Bound's trap-neuter-return (TNR) program. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 30 Jan. 2024 The only waiting periods associated with adopting a pet are if the animal is still in the holding period required after a stray is found (five days in Lancaster County and 72 hours for Mecklenburg County) and whether the animal has been spayed or neutered. Vanessa Infanzon, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French espeer to pierce, castrate, from espee sword, from Latin spatha sword — more at spade

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spay was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near spay

Cite this Entry

“Spay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spay. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spay

verb
: to remove the ovaries and uterus of (a female animal)

Medical Definition

spay

transitive verb
spayed; spaying
: to remove the ovaries and uterus of (a female animal)

More from Merriam-Webster on spay

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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