spay

verb

ˈspā 

 nonstandard  ˈspād

spayed ˈspād 

 nonstandard  ˈspā-dəd

; spaying ˈspā-iŋ 

 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

There is a significant health benefit to spaying a female dog before the first heat cycle as it is reported to reduce the chance of breast cancer later in life. —Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2025

MetLife’s preventative care plan includes vaccines, spaying/neutering and heartworm prevention, behavioral training and up to $150 toward teeth cleaning, among other benefits Standout benefits: Claims can be filed online and reimbursed within 10 days. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024

Kittens should then be neutered/spayed, vaccinated and de-wormed. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024

All kittens should be checked by a veterinarian, and receive vaccinations, flea and worms treatment, and spaying/neutering soon after birth. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for spay

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

spay

verb

ˈspā 

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

Medical Definition

spay

transitive verb

ˈspā 

spayed; spaying

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