neuter

adjective neu·ter \ ˈnü-tər , ˈnyü- \

Updated on: 21 May 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

NEW! Time Traveler

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

Spay and neuter surgeries are often based on weight, so puppies, kittens, cats and small dogs would be less expensive, while spays for medium to large female dogs would actually cost more.

— cathy m. rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, "Cost to neuter dogs varies wildly; call around," 2 Mar. 2018
Just a few years ago, the major lifesaving effort was cutting off the supply of unwanted animals through spay and neuter programs.

— stu bykofsky, Philly.com, "A no-kill city for animals. Where the dream began | Stu Bykofsky," 11 Jan. 2018
Adoption fee: $25; includes spay/neuter; permanent microchip identification and vet exam.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Pet of the week for adoption," 30 Apr. 2018
The organization also offers spay and neuter surgeries.

— lauren castle, azcentral, "How the Arizona Humane Society helps pets during natural disasters," 22 Apr. 2018
The organization raises funds for adoptions, spay and neuter programs and educational materials.

— anne nickoloff, cleveland.com, "Senior dogs create works of art in Pawsitive Ohio's "SHAKE! Shades of Gray" display," 6 Mar. 2018
The city’s Front Street animal shelter has provided veterinary services, including spay and neuter surgery, flea treatment and vaccinations, for cats and dogs living in the building.

— cynthia hubert, sacbee, "Despite lots of barking and one bad bite, dogs still welcome at winter homeless shelter | The Sacramento Bee," 18 Feb. 2018
With each pet at CHS receiving full-service medical treatment—ranging from spays, neuters and vaccinations to more complex expert care—by a staff veterinary team, funds for medical care are needed more than ever before.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The West Hartford Edition," 17 Apr. 2018
The organization offers kits, free vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery for kittens.

— lauren castle, azcentral, "Too many kittens are being born in Arizona. Here's one way to help," 13 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of neuter

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

Neither signed onto a ballot argument opposing Proposition H, a measure on the June ballot that would give the POA authority to set policy over the use of Tasers, neutering the commission’s authority.

— dominic fracassa, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF supervisors reject 2 Police Commission nominations, freezing the panel," 15 May 2018
Mr Ortega has neutered the institutions that might serve as shock absorbers against popular ire.

— The Economist, "Riots threaten Nicaragua’s autocratic president," 26 Apr. 2018
But even the suggestion of a possible pardon, to wipe their slate clean could essentially neuter Mueller's ability to apply pressure.

— z. byron wolf, CNN, "Why Trump pardoning Manafort or Flynn would look at lot like quid pro quo," 29 Mar. 2018
Wall Street never would return to the lofty profits of old, and Goldman Sachs would be neutered.

— dennis kneale, WSJ, "A Guide to TV’s ‘Fall’ Season," 25 Mar. 2018
But plans to spay and neuter them in preparation for adoption have been postponed because the puppies were found to have worms and had eaten some plastic at some point.

— ian cummings, kansascity, "Puppies covered in paint are rescued, and shaved, at KC Pet Project | The Kansas City Star," 26 Feb. 2018
The group updates the animal's vaccinations, insert microchips, addresses medical conditions, and spay/neuters all unaltered hounds.

— vagney bradley, Houston Chronicle, "Group helps foster adoptions of basset hounds," 16 Jan. 2018
Rumor will also receive dental work and be neutered.

— william axford, Houston Chronicle, "'Rumor' just one of many dogs abandoned in Houston's 'Corridor of Cruelty'," 26 Apr. 2018
Those dueling priorities — neutering the agency while fulfilling Trump’s promise to come down hard on Wells Fargo — have created friction.

— emily flitter and glenn thrush, BostonGlobe.com, "Wells Fargo said to be target of $1 billion US fine," 20 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of neuter

1903

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

neuter

verb

Definition of neuter for English Language Learners

: to remove the sex organs from (an animal)
: to make (something) much less powerful or effective

NEUTER Defined for Kids

neuter

verb neu·ter \ ˈnü-tər , ˈnyü- \

Definition of neuter for Students

neutered; neutering

: to remove the sex glands and especially the testes from : castrate

neuter a dog

Medical Dictionary

neuter

noun neu·ter \ ˈn(y)üt-ər \

medical Definition of neuter

: a spayed or castrated animal (as a cat)

neuter

transitive verb

medical Definition of neuter

: castrate 1, alter

a neutered cat

Learn More about neuter

See words that rhyme with neuter Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for neuter Spanish Central: Translation of neuter Nglish: Translation of neuter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of neuter for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up neuter? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

neuter

Definition of neuter

Examples of neuter in a Sentence

Recent Examples of neuter from the Web

Origin and Etymology of neuter

Other Botany Terms

neuter

Definition of neuter

Recent Examples of neuter from the Web

First Known Use of neuter

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

neuter

Definition of neuter

Examples of neuter in a Sentence

Recent Examples of neuter from the Web

First Known Use of neuter

neuter Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

NEUTER Defined for English Language Learners

neuter

Definition of neuter for English Language Learners

neuter

Definition of neuter for English Language Learners

NEUTER Defined for Kids

neuter

Definition of neuter for Students

Medical Dictionary

neuter

medical Definition of neuter

neuter

medical Definition of neuter

Learn More about neuter

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Insults Made Up of a Noun and a Verb

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word