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 are also medical and behavioral benefits to spaying (female pets) and neutering (male ones). —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

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

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)