What does spaying mean?
Spaying is the surgical removal of a female animal's ovaries, making the animal incapable of becoming pregnant. It is routinely performed on pets such as dogs and cats, as well as on some other domestic and wild animals, for population control, prevention of unwanted breeding, and certain health benefits. The word is used chiefly in veterinary and animal-welfare contexts, where it distinguishes the procedure performed on females from the broader term neutering. In everyday conversation, people may use neutering as an inclusive term, but spaying is more precise because it identifies the removal of the ovaries. Although the word can sound similar to spraying, the two describe entirely different actions: one is an operation and the other is the application of a liquid in a fine mist.
verbTo remove the ovaries from a female animal, thereby preventing her from becoming pregnant. Spaying is commonly performed on dogs, cats, and other domestic animals as a form of population control and to reduce certain health risks.
- To remove the ovaries from a female animal, making it incapable of becoming pregnant.
"The animal shelter spays rescued cats before making them available for adoption."
"The veterinarian recommended spaying the dog to prevent unwanted litters."
"The shelter's policy requires cats to be spayed before they can leave the facility."
Spaying is the female-animal counterpart of neutering, preventing pregnancy by removing the ovaries rather than the testes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spaying come from?
The verb spay developed from Middle English spayen, meaning to remove or cut out, especially from a female animal. It is related to Old French espayer, which had a similar meaning and referred to cutting or removing tissue. The precise origin of the underlying word is uncertain, but the modern form has long been associated with the surgical removal of an animal's ovaries.
Related word forms
How spaying is actually used
This term is chiefly used in veterinary contexts. In general discussion, neutering may be used as a broader term for the surgical alteration of animals; technically, neutering commonly refers to the removal of the testes, while spaying specifically refers to the removal of the ovaries.
Easily confused with spaying
Spaying means removing an animal's ovaries to prevent pregnancy, whereas spraying means applying a liquid mist or coating something with a fine shower of liquid.