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.
Recent studies, including one by the University of California, Davis, found that some dogs who were neutered or spayed before 1 year old had a higher risk of developing health issues, such as ligament tears or joint disorders and even certain types of cancer. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2024 Wisdom holding a cat at Puppy Kitty NYC in Middle Village, Queens, before it is sent to be spayed. Molly Osberg, Curbed, 10 July 2024 Zweigart's nonprofit, Flatbush Cats, focuses on humanely trapping community cats in Brooklyn and spaying or neutering the animals to prevent them from adding to the stray population. Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2024 All rabbits available at Marin Humane have been spayed or neutered and vaccinated. Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 1 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near spay

Cite this Entry

“Spay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spay. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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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