Synonyms

spay

¹ American

[spey] / speɪ /

verb (used with object)

Veterinary Medicine.

to remove the ovaries of (an animal).

spay ² American

[spey] / speɪ /

noun

a three-year-old male red deer.

spay British

/ speɪ /

verb

(tr) to remove the ovaries, and usually the uterus, from (a female animal)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

unspayed adjective

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; 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.

His legislation would also provide free vaccinations and spay or neuter services to the felines.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

A dog spay is on average about £300.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2024

Astrof said this action wouldn’t significantly alleviate the crisis at shelters unless the city begins to enforce its spay and neuter policy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2024

Other programs ease the financial burden of owning a dog or a cat, through pet food pantries and veterinary services like spay and neuter clinics.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 19, 2023

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023