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
Synonyms of spaynext

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.
Watch this video for tips on helping your dog recover after they’ve been spayed or neutered. — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 Each dog adopted from the Bradshaw Animal Shelter will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026 All adoptable pets are spayed, neutered and up to date on vaccines and tests. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026 Project Street Vet travels across North Georgia and the metro Atlanta area to spay, neuter, and vaccinate animals at no cost. — Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 18 June 2026 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

Rhymes for spay

See All Rhymes for spay

Browse Nearby Words

spawny
spay
spaz
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spay. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spay

verb
ˈspā How to pronounce spay (audio)
: to remove the ovaries and uterus of (a female animal)

Medical Definition

spay

transitive verb
ˈspā How to pronounce spay (audio)
spayed; spaying
: to remove the ovaries and uterus of (a female animal)

More from Merriam-Webster on spay

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spay

Nglish: Translation of spay for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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