spay
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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spays,
present (3rd person singular)
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spayed,
past participle, past
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spaying
present participle
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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spaysimple
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spayssimple
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have spayedperfect
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has spayedperfect
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am spayingprogressive
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are spayingprogressive
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is spayingprogressive
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have been spayingperfect progressive
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has been spayingperfect progressive
Past
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spayedsimple
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had spayedperfect
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was spayingprogressive
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were spayingprogressive
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had been spayingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of spay1
1375–1425; late Middle English spayen < Anglo-French espeïer to cut with a sword ( Old French espeer ), derivative of espee sword; see épée
Origin of spay2
1375–1425; late Middle English < ?
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The new city budget, which took effect July 1, includes a $1-million increase in the spay and neuter budget, bringing the total to $6.5 million for animal sterilizations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
His legislation would also provide free vaccinations and spay or neuter services to the felines.
From Barron's ● Feb. 10, 2026
Our mission: To help end the euthanasia of adoptable dogs and cats in Washington by increasing adoptions, supporting spay and neuter programs and improving pet retention.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 26, 2024
Rather, many dog owners buy a city breeder permit, which costs $235, so they don’t have to spay or neuter their pets as required under city law.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2024
“Thank you for your call. Please spay or neuter your pets.”
From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty
The group feeds, spays and neuters cats, and places them into adoption.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 28, 2023
The “work up” for all strays and any surrendered cats or dogs without up-to-date health/medical care documents includes basic health exams, vaccinations, spays or neuters and microchips.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 24, 2021
She also opposes public funds being given to business owners rather than low-income families who want their cats spayed or neutered.
From Barron's ● Feb. 10, 2026
All cats will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and medically cleared before they can be taken home.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 13, 2024
The study included 11 adult spayed female cats.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 1, 2023
Lola had already been spayed and microchipped and Anita had already installed six-foot fencing around her garden.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2023
An altered female dog or cat is spayed.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
These would include vet visits, mandatory spaying or neutering, and ensuring the cats have sufficient food, water and a safe place to sleep.
From Barron's ● Feb. 10, 2026
They specifically looked at the correlation between neutering or spaying a dog before 1 year of age and a dog's risk of developing certain cancers.
From Science Daily ● May 28, 2024
This past February, Dunn’s shelter held a clinic for spaying and neutering outdoor cats.
From Salon ● Mar. 19, 2024
By spaying and neutering our cats, “we’re taking away some of the behaviors that they would naturally exhibit that might prevent them from forming these relationships,” says Delgado.
From Slate ● Jan. 18, 2024
The snout should be perforated at weaning-time, after the animal has recovered from castration or spaying; and it will be necessary to renew the operation as it becomes of large growth.
From Sheep, Swine, and Poultry Embracing the History and Varieties of Each; The Best Modes of Breeding; Their Feeding and Management; Together with etc. by Robert Jennings
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
