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.
Dolly is vaccinated, spayed and microchipped and is ready to go home at a moment’s notice. Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025 At Barkside, all dogs must be at least 6 months old and up to date on vaccinations, with those 12 months and up spayed or neutered. Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Rather than paying a recurring license fee, pets that are microchipped, spayed or neutered, and vaccinated for rabies would be eligible to be permanently licensed for a one-time $25 fee. Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Sep. 2025 In Campbell County, data from the county's own animal services shows that by 2022, 440 cats were returned to the field (after being spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped), which represented about 78 percent of all cat intakes that year. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 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 7 Oct. 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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