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

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.
Paws for a Cause Vet Care offers 25% off prices for neutering and spaying through Aug. 31 at 1620 Bond St., Naperville. Seniors older than 62 and those with SSDI, SSI, Link, unemployment or who are veterans can take advantage of the sale. Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025 All available dogs, puppies, cats and kittens will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, according to the release. Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 31 July 2025 If your cat isn't spayed or neutered, mating behaviors may also be the source of the issue. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025 The criticism ranged from accusations of negligence to questions about why Tay Tay hadn’t been spayed earlier. Ashley Vega, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025 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 20 Aug. 2025.

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
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