spay
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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:
His legislation would also provide free vaccinations and spay or neuter services to the felines.
From Barron's ● Feb. 10, 2026
The solutions ranged from helping owners keep their pets to better customer service for potential adopters to letting adopters take dogs home before returning for spay or neuter operations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2024
Among the proposed legislation is a bill to establish a high-volume spay and neuter certification program for veterinary students at UC Davis and the Western University College of Veterinary Medicine in Pomona.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2024
A dog spay is on average about £300.
From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2024
To spade a garden is to dig it up; to spay a cat is to keep her from having kittens.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
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
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
“There are general trends. Intact dogs are more territorial than neutered and spayed dogs,” Farnsworth said.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 22, 2023
An altered female dog or cat is spayed.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
She is also an advocate for making spaying and neutering, which typically costs several hundred dollars, more affordable.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
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
The removal of the ovaries, or spaying of the female, used to be often practised, and packs of spayed bitches were, and still are, occasionally kept.
From The Dog by Youatt, William
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.
