spay

\ ˈspā

How to pronounce spay (audio)

, nonstandard ˈspād \

spayed\ ˈspād

How to pronounce spayed (audio)

, nonstandard ˈspā-dəd \; spaying\ ˈspā-iŋ

How to pronounce spaying (audio)

, nonstandard ˈspā-diŋ \

Definition of spay

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 His weather segments always ended with a reminder for people watching at home to spay or neuter their pets. — cleveland, "Dick Goddard remembered for saving the lives of ‘hundreds of thousands’ of animals through his advocacy work," 4 Aug. 2020 Contracts often stipulate that the buyer must spay and neuter their cat, and that no cat will end up in a shelter. — Alexandra Marvar, Star Tribune, "Designer cat market is thriving with 'toygers' and other wild-looking kitties," 28 July 2020 If not, check with a local veterinarian about annual vaccines, boosters and spaying and neutering. — Michele C. Hollow, New York Times, "A Guide for First-Time Pet Owners During the Pandemic," 6 May 2020 And new adoptions are spayed or neutered before the adoption process is completed. — NBC News, "'The call has been answered': Animal shelters across the U.S. are emptying amid coronavirus pandemic," 16 Apr. 2020 The Humane Society of Greater Miami is spaying and neutering shelter animals once per week, but the clinic is closed to the general public. — NBC News, "'The call has been answered': Animal shelters across the U.S. are emptying amid coronavirus pandemic," 16 Apr. 2020 This means spaying or neutering a pet is out of the question. — Bisma Parvez, Detroit Free Press, "Gov. Whitmer signs order restricting non-essential vet procedures amid coronavirus crisis," 31 Mar. 2020 Donations of cat food and money to pay for spaying and neutering. — Katie V. Jones, baltimoresun.com, "Share Your Blessings: How you can help those in need in Laurel," 27 Nov. 2019 There were 10 leaders on the team and 11 females, all of them spayed. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, "Here’s what happens when you learn you’re running the Iditarod the day the race begins," 21 Mar. 2020

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

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Dictionary Entries near spay

spawning ground

Statistics for spay

Last Updated

8 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Spay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spay. Accessed 14 Aug. 2020.

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More Definitions for spay

spay

verb

English Language Learners Definition of spay

: to remove the sex organs of (a female animal) : to make (a female animal) unable to have babies

See the full definition for spay in the English Language Learners Dictionary

spay

\ ˈspā

\

spayed; spaying

Kids Definition of spay

: to remove the ovaries of (a female animal) a spayed cat

spay

transitive verb

\ ˈspā

\

spayed; spaying

Medical Definition of spay

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

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