1
: a usually flowering branch or shoot
2
: a decorative flat arrangement of flowers and foliage (as on a coffin)
3
: something (such as a jeweled pin) resembling a spray
1
: water flying in small drops or particles blown from waves or thrown up by a waterfall
sprayed; spraying; sprays
1
: to project spray or something resembling spray on or into
spray the table
spraying the wall with bullets
2
: to disperse or apply as a spray
sprayed some perfume
1
: to break up into spray
2
: to disperse or apply a spray
3
: to emit a stream or spray of urine
a cat may spray to mark its territory
sprayer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of spray in a Sentence
Verb
She sprayed herself with perfume.
The crops are sprayed monthly.
We were sprayed by water from the crashing waves.
The boys sprayed graffiti on the wall.
He sprayed the paint evenly over the surface.
She sprayed some perfume into the air.
The soda sprayed from the bottle.
The blood sprayed onto the wall.
They sprayed the crowd with bullets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Catherine Garcia, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024
However, at some locations, hiking, swimming or sailing close enough to feel their refreshing, cooling spray is allowed.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024
Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Iowa State said spraying pyrethroid insecticides such as Permethrin or Esfenvalerate on the outside of buildings when the beetles appear may help prevent pest entry, especially for large infestations.
—Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spray 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Three flat pouch bottles, two pump bottles, a spray bottle, two mini jars, plus a small spatula, pipette and funnel, round out the kit, which also comes with a pouch for carrying.
—Catherine Garcia, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024
However, at some locations, hiking, swimming or sailing close enough to feel their refreshing, cooling spray is allowed.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
The county has previously sprayed pesticides in neighborhoods where mosquitoes potentially carrying West Nile virus have been found.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Iowa State said spraying pyrethroid insecticides such as Permethrin or Esfenvalerate on the outside of buildings when the beetles appear may help prevent pest entry, especially for large infestations.
—Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spray
Dictionary Entries Near spray
Cite this Entry
“Spray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spray. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spray
1 of 3 noun
: a usually flowering branch or shoot
spray
2 of 3 noun1
: liquid flying in fine drops like water blown from a wave
2
a
: a burst of fine mist (as from an atomizer)
b
: a device (as an atomizer) for scattering a spray
spray
3 of 3 verb1
: to scatter or apply as a spray
2
: to scatter spray on or into
sprayer
noun
Medical Definition
spray
1 of 2 noun
: a jet of vapor or finely divided liquid
specifically
: a jet of fine medicated vapor used as an application to a diseased part or to charge the air of a room with a disinfectant or deodorant
spray
2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to emit a stream or spray of urine
a cat may spray to mark its territory
Legal Definition
spray
transitive verb
: to disperse among a number of recipients
authorized to spray trust income—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share