plural sprays
1
a
: liquid that is forced out of a container in a stream of very small drops
The paint was applied in a fine spray.
b
: a liquid substance that is used or applied by being forced out of a container in a stream of very small drops
A nasal/nose spray should help you breathe better.
Hand me the bug spray.
a can of hair spray
c
: the act of putting a liquid on something in a stream of small drops : the act of spraying something
Give your hair one more spray to be sure it stays in place.
a quick spray of perfume
2
: very small drops of water moving through the air
sea spray
3
: a stream of liquid in the form of very small drops
—often + of
a spray of water/blood
The car splashed a spray of mud on me.
—sometimes used figurativelya spray of bullets [=a number of bullets that are shot quickly]
A spray of gravel hit the car.
sprays; sprayed; spraying
1
a
: to put a stream of small drops of liquid on (someone or something)
She sprayed herself with perfume.
I sprayed the plants (with a pesticide).
The crops are sprayed monthly.
We were sprayed by water from the crashing waves.
b
: to put (something) on a surface or into the air using a special container that produces a stream of small drops of liquid
The boys sprayed graffiti on the wall.
He sprayed the paint evenly over the surface.
She sprayed some perfume into the air.
2
: to flow out in a stream of very small drops
The soda sprayed from the bottle.
The blood sprayed onto the wall.
3
: to shoot many bullets at someone or something
The gunmen sprayed the house with bullets. = The gunmen sprayed bullets into the house.
They sprayed the crowd with bullets.
4
a
of a cat
: to wet something (such as a bush) with urine
Cats may spray to mark their territory.
b
of a skunk
: to wet (an animal or person) with a liquid that has a very bad smell
He was sprayed by a skunk.
The skunk sprayed the dog.
plural sprays
1
: a branch of a plant that usually has flowers and is used as a decoration
—often + of
a spray [=sprig] of apple blossoms
2
: an attractive arrangement of flowers
—often + of
a spray of roses
Cite this Entry
“Spray.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/spray. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
