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: to remove the ovaries and uterus of (a female animal)
Examples of spay in a Sentence
Our cat has been spayed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Pets from shelters and rescues are generally already spayed/neutered, vaccinated and often microchipped.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
Recent studies, including one by the University of California, Davis, found that some dogs who were neutered or spayed before 1 year old had a higher risk of developing health issues, such as ligament tears or joint disorders and even certain types of cancer.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2024
Wisdom holding a cat at Puppy Kitty NYC in Middle Village, Queens, before it is sent to be spayed.
—Molly Osberg, Curbed, 10 July 2024
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Word History
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Cite this Entry
“Spay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spay. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
spay
verb
: to remove the ovaries and uterus of (a female animal)
Medical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on spay
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spay
Nglish: Translation of spay for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of spay for Arabic Speakers
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