stingray

noun

sting·​ray ˈstiŋ-ˌrā 

: any of numerous rays (as of the family Dasyatidae) with one or more large sharp barbed dorsal spines near the base of the whiplike tail capable of inflicting severe wounds

Illustration of stingray

Examples of stingray in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For Kamalu, a moment in the first film that truly captures that essence is when the spirit of Moana’s deceased grandmother appears in the water as a beautiful bioluminescent stingray to guide her. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 Nov. 2024

Robert is a conservationist and zookeeper just like his father, who was killed by a stingray at age 44 when Robert was just 2 years old in 2006. —Rachel Desantis, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024

Yet, despite their ecological importance, estuary stingrays face myriad threats. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

For most of the day on June 7, the flags had flown yellow, reflecting the Gulf’s calm surf and good conditions, and purple, indicating possible jellyfish or stingrays in the water. —Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

stingray

noun

sting·​ray ˈstiŋ-ˌrā 

: any of numerous rays that have one or more large sharp stinging spines near the base of the whiplike tail

Medical Definition

stingray

noun

sting·​ray

ˈstiŋ-ˌrā also -rē

: any of numerous large flat cartilaginous fishes (order Rajiformes and especially family Dasyatidae) with one or more large sharp barbed dorsal spines near the base of the whiplike tail capable of inflicting severe wounds