spay

verb \ ˈspā , nonstandard ˈspād \

Definition of spay

spayed play \ˈspād, nonstandard ˈspā-dəd\; spaying play \ˈspā-iŋ, nonstandard ˈspā-diŋ\

transitive verb

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

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Examples of spay in a Sentence

Our cat has been spayed.

Recent Examples of spay from the Web

Similarly, Rabbits will be neutered and spayed and microchipped for no fee.

— gary warth, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Adoption fee waived for Clear the Shelters day," 15 Aug. 2017
Starting Friday, 35 cats will be up for adoption for $15 each, which includes the costs of spaying or neutering as well as food, litter, carriers, food bowls and toys.

— devin kelly, Alaska Dispatch News, "Teeming with cats, Anchorage shelter temporarily cuts adoption fee to $15," 19 July 2017
In 2016, 250 pets were spayed/neutered through the program, and the county is on pace to see the same number in 2017, Lecaros said in an email.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Summer a hot time for pet owners to 'clean house' of their cats and dogs," 18 July 2017
The licenses cost $20 annually for a neutered or spayed animal and require proof of a rabies vaccination.

— cynthia hubert, sacbee, "With big fines coming, Sacramento pet owners rush to license animals," 29 June 2017
Adoptable barn cats will be spayed or neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, and microchipped, Animal Control officials said.

— cathy janek, Aurora Beacon-News, "Program in Aurora works to place 'unadoptable' cats at local farms, businesses," 28 June 2017
All the puppies and kittens will be spayed or neutered and will have received all age-appropriate vaccinations and shots.

— rich heileman, cleveland.com, "Luna Marketing owners pack items to cheer vets in hospice: Around The Town," 23 June 2017
In addition to presenting Winnetka area residents with potential new furry family members, the adoption event also provided educational material about the various rescue groups, and about PAWS' mission to spay and neuter cats and dogs.

— kathy routliffe, chicagotribune.com, "Families find new members to love at 2017 Angels With Tails Winnetka," 21 June 2017
If the animal is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.50 and the lifetime fee is $31.50.

— logan hullinger, Philly.com, "State running out of money to protect dogs from abuse," 20 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of spay

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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SPAY Defined for English Language Learners

spay

verb

Definition of spay for English Language Learners

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

SPAY Defined for Kids

spay

verb \ ˈspā \

Definition of spay for Students

spayed; spaying

:to remove the ovaries of (a female animal)

a spayed cat

Medical Dictionary

spay

transitive verb \ ˈspā \

medical Definition of spay

spayed; spaying

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

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See words that rhyme with spay Spanish Central: Translation of spay Nglish: Translation of spay for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of spay for Arabic speakers

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