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
Synonyms of spaynext

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The dog will also likely need laser therapy to repair the skin and hair around her snout, as well as vaccines, spaying surgery and other health treatments down the road, officials said. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026 Both cats and dogs need to be at least a year old, have been spayed or neutered and be up-to-date on their vaccinations. Riley Moser, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026 The Wisconsin Humane Society worried the changes, which include mandating certain procedures like spaying and microchipping, could cause a burden on low-income people and people of color. David Clarey, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026 But, the panel said, no other measures would work – not relocating the coyotes, not spaying or neutering them, not even killing them. Anita Gosch, Oc Register, 19 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spay

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spay. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster