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 value of free spay and neuter vouchers for pets increased last year from $70 to $120 for cats but the budget allocated for them did not, so fewer vouchers were issued overall.
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
He maintains Barker’s tradition, advising viewers to spay and neuter their pets, but closes each episode with “I love you” and encourages viewers to take care of their mental health.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2025
A dog spay is on average about £300.
From BBC ● Mar. 16, 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
Mushie, who the couple rescued from a breeder, is a spayed black brindle French bulldog with a white chest, perky ears and no tail.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2024
But a pyometra or caesarean that could result if not spayed is £1,500 to £2,000.
From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2024
The study included 11 adult spayed female cats.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 1, 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
A spaying emasculator, or ecraseur, are the special instruments need for removing the ovaries.
From Common Diseases of Farm Animals by R. A. Craig, D.V.M.
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.
