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

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

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

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)