verb
neuter
To surgically prevent an animal from reproducing.
The shelter neuters each dog before placing it for adoption.
Etymology
The older adjective described neither male nor female. The veterinary verb developed from rendering an animal sexually nonreproductive by an operation on its reproductive organs.
More examples
- We had our kitten neutered last month.
- Neutering pets helps prevent unwanted litters.
- How much does it cost to neuter a rabbit?
Forms
neuter · neuters · neutered · neutering
Similar words
- sterilize
- Broader term for preventing reproduction, including through nonsurgical methods.
- spay
- Specifically means surgically removing a female animal’s reproductive organs.
- castrate
- Specifically means removing the testicles of a male animal.