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Spaying: meaning, definitions and examples

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spaying

 

[ speɪɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

animal care

Spaying is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a female animal's reproductive organs, primarily the ovaries and often the uterus. This procedure is commonly performed on pets, particularly cats and dogs, to prevent unwanted litters and to reduce certain health risks. It is a key aspect of responsible pet ownership, as it helps control the pet population and can contribute to better behavior and health in animals. The term is derived from 'spay', which indicates the act of sterilizing female animals.

Synonyms

neutering (for females), sterilizing

Examples of usage

  • Many pet owners choose spaying to prevent unplanned litters.
  • Spaying can help reduce the risk of certain cancers in females.
  • The veterinarian recommended spaying as part of routine care.

Translations

Translations of the word "spaying" in other languages:

🇵🇹 esterilização

🇮🇳 स्पेइंग

🇩🇪 Sterilisation

🇮🇩 sterilisasi

🇺🇦 стерилізація

🇵🇱 sterylizacja

🇯🇵 去勢手術

🇫🇷 stérilisation

🇪🇸 esterilización

🇹🇷 sterilizasyon

🇰🇷 중성화

🇸🇦 تعقيم

🇨🇿 sterilizace

🇸🇰 sterilizácia

🇨🇳 绝育手术

🇸🇮 sterilizacija

🇮🇸 sterilun

🇰🇿 стерилизация

🇬🇪 სტერილიზაცია

🇦🇿 sterilizasiya

🇲🇽 esterilización

Etymology

The word 'spay' originates from the Middle English term 'spai', which is related to the Old French 'espeier', meaning to remove or cut off. Historically, the practice of spaying has been used since ancient times for the control of animal populations and to enhance the management of domesticated animals. The term became more widely adopted in the 19th century as veterinary practices advanced and the importance of controlling pet populations became recognized. Today, spaying is an essential part of responsible pet ownership and contributes significantly to animal welfare by preventing overpopulation and associated issues.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,707, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.