: to remove the ovaries and uterus of (a female animal)
Examples of spay in a Sentence
Our cat has been spayed.
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Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025 Rules regarding pet ownership, vaccination, and spaying/neutering vary by state, with Rhode Island being the only state that requires cat licensing.—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2025 Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies in pets, spaying and neutering can lead to more positive behaviors such as reduced aggression, roaming and urine marking.—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2025 Free or discount clinics for spaying and microchipping Adopting a new pet is exciting, but even one-time costs like spaying or neutering and microchipping can add up.—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025 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
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