neuter

adjective neu·ter \ ˈnü-tər , ˈnyü- \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Definition of neuter

1 a : of, relating to, or constituting the gender that ordinarily includes most words or grammatical forms referring to things classed as neither masculine nor feminine

b : neither active nor passive : intransitive

2 : taking no side : neutral

3 : lacking or having imperfectly developed or nonfunctional generative organs

See neuter defined for English-language learners

See neuter defined for kids

Examples of neuter in a Sentence

The pronoun “it” is neuter.

Recent Examples of neuter from the Web

Spay/neuter laws Mandatory spay/neuter laws are aimed to prevent animal overpopulation, and are often enacted at the local level.

— ivana hrynkiw, AL.com, "'You can't adopt your way out of this problem': GBHS CEO responds to 'No Kill' allegations," 27 Oct. 2017
The plan to neuter hurricanes involved a series of observations and deductions, with each step built upon the last.

— sam kean, The Atlantic, "The Chemist Who Thought He Could Harness Hurricanes," 5 Sep. 2017
On Feb. 19, Wheaton, founder of the Alicia Pet Care Center, will hold the fifth annual free spay and neuter day in memory of Ford Petersen, an employee who died Feb. 11, 2013, at age 21, from a congenital heart condition.

— erika i. ritchie, Orange County Register, "Vet holding free spay and neuter day," 14 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'neuter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of neuter

Middle English neutre, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French neutre, from Latin neuter, literally, neither, from ne- not + uter which of two — more at no, ²whether

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

neuter

noun

Definition of neuter

1 a : a noun, pronoun, adjective, or inflectional form or class of the neuter gender

b : the neuter gender

2 : one that is neutral

3 a : worker 2

b : a spayed or castrated animal

Recent Examples of neuter from the Web

Subsidiaries include an intake center, two animal shelters, a low-cost spay/neuter and vaccine clinic, wildlife rehabilitation center, humane education center, and resale shop.

— sue ellen ross, Post-Tribune, "Critter Camp gives Northwest Indiana kids a hands-on approach to nature," 7 July 2018
Mimoso’s adoption fee includes his neuter surgery, current vaccinations, a microchip and a free follow-up wellness exam with a VCA Animal Hospital.

— arizona republic, azcentral, "Adopt a dog or cat from metro Phoenix shelters this week," 5 July 2018
Here, animal rights activists and ecologists have been squaring off for the last decade over a practice known at trap, neuter, and return, in which feral cats are captured, sterilized and vaccinated, then allowed to roam free.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Australian Feral Cats Eat More Than a Million Reptiles Per Day," 26 June 2018
White said In addition to the adoption events, the foundation provides spay/neuter funding to pet owners, maintains a network of nearly 40 local rescue agencies and animal shelters, and works on projects that benefit homeless animals.

— karen pearlman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Rescue event for animals at Grossmont Center coming soon," 25 June 2018
There simply is no room, and that neuters players such as Jordi Alba, whose great strength in an attacking sense is his capacity to run beyond the opposition's back line.

— jonathan wilson, SI.com, "Spain Stable but Still Finding Footing at World Cup Under Band-Aid Manager Hierro," 20 June 2018
Zumi’s adoption fee includes his neuter surgery, current vaccinations, a microchip and a free follow-up wellness exam with a VCA Animal Hospital.

— arizona republic, azcentral, "Give one of these Valley rescue pets a forever home this week," 22 June 2018
Seventy percent of Bissell employees are pet owners, and in 2011, Cathy Bissell started the Bissell Pet Foundation to promote and support spay-neuter programs and shelter pet adoption.

— brittany shoot, Fortune, "Today Is Take Your Dog to Work Day. But at These 10 Companies, Dogs Are Always Welcome," 22 June 2018
Your adoption fee typically includes the first round of vaccinations, along with other medical services, like deworming and a spay or neuter.

— USA TODAY, "Don't let puppy love blind you to the expense of having a dog," 22 June 2018

First Known Use of neuter

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

neuter

verb

Definition of neuter

transitive verb

1 : castrate, alter

2 : to remove the force or effectiveness of

See neuter defined for English-language learners

Examples of neuter in a Sentence

She had her dog neutered by the veterinarian.
The bill was neutered by the changes made by the legislature.

Recent Examples of neuter from the Web

Adopted pets can get vaccinated, neutered and spaded for free, Barnes said.

— kate talerico, The Courier-Journal, "City breaks ground on 'no kill' animal shelter slated to open in mid-2019," 5 July 2018
Gus is 3 years old, weighs about 60 pounds, is white- and brindle-colored, is neutered and was last seen wearing a royal blue invisible fence collar.

— justin l. mack, Indianapolis Star, "'We are praying for everyone': Family of Gus the bulldog theft suspect offers apology," 18 Apr. 2018
Each pup and dog is already vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "Rosenberg plans 'Adopt-a-Dog Hike'," 13 Mar. 2018
Leo, 2, is a 9-pound neutered male Domestic Shorthair.

— peggy calhoun, idahostatesman, "Ada County Pet of the Week: Leo," 25 June 2018
As both shelters ask for adoptions, Bradshaw's top priority is the source of problem — their foremost request is that owners spay or neuter their pets.

— michael mcgough, sacbee, "Two Sacramento-area animal shelters waive adoption fees as they fill up with pets," 25 June 2018
Both of them are neutered, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, have been heartworm tested (both are negative) and are licensed with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control.

— arizona republic, azcentral, "Give one of these Valley rescue pets a forever home this week," 22 June 2018
Sanctions have a way of neutering movement toward democracy, rewarding radicals and dictators and silencing dissent.

— amanda erickson, Washington Post, "It looks like Iran’s turn to sink the nuclear deal," 6 June 2018
As a long term solution, spaying or neutering all strays before re-releasing them into the streets would be ideal.

— madeline farber, Fox News, "World Cup 2018 host cities in Russia allegedly killing off stray dogs ahead of tournament," 13 June 2018

First Known Use of neuter

1903

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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neuter Synonyms

Synonyms

alter, desex, fix;

Related Words

castrate, emasculate, geld;

spay;

sterilize;

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

NEUTER Defined for English Language Learners

neuter

adjective

Definition of neuter for English Language Learners

grammar in some languages : of or belonging to the class of words (called a gender) that ordinarily includes most of the words referring to things that are neither masculine nor feminine