: any of an order (Rajiformes) of usually marine cartilaginous fishes (such as stingrays and skates) having the body flattened dorsoventrally, the eyes on the upper surface, and enlarged pectoral fins fused with the head
1
a
: any of the lines of light that appear to radiate from a bright object
b
: a beam of radiant energy (such as light) of small cross section
c(1)
: a stream of material particles traveling in the same line (as in radioactive phenomena)
(2)
: a single particle of such a stream
2
a
: light cast by rays : radiance
b
: a moral or intellectual light
3
: a thin line suggesting a ray: such as
a
: any of a group of lines diverging from a common center
b
4
a
: one of the bony rods that extend and support the membrane in the fin of a fish
b
: one of the radiating divisions of the body of a radiate animal (such as a starfish)
5
a
: a branch or flower stalk of an umbel
b(1)
(2)
rayed; raying; rays
1
a
: to shine in or as if in rays
b
: to issue as rays
2
: to extend like the radii of a circle : radiate
Examples of ray in a Sentence
Noun (2)
two red eyes reflected in the ray of light from the flashlight
the tapping sound ceased, extinguishing the last ray of hope that the trapped miners were still alive
Verb
klieg lights were raying against the nighttime sky at the Hollywood premiere
laugh wrinkles rayed out from the corners of the old man's eyes
Recent Examples on the Web
Jianying Zhang, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
The lightweight tint provides your skin with sheer coverage that will help even out your skin tone while providing you with protection against harmful UV rays.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
After contact, the symptoms arise when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024
Free radicals are harmful molecules that come from negative factors like UV rays, pollution, and psycho-emotional stress.1
Research indicates that chronic oxidative stress can contribute to a variety of diseases, including cancer and heart disease, while also accelerating the effects of aging.
—Johna Burdeos, Health, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ray 
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Noun
Sunlight through a window won’t have the same effect– glass reduces absorption of the UV rays needed for vitamin D production.
—Jianying Zhang, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
The lightweight tint provides your skin with sheer coverage that will help even out your skin tone while providing you with protection against harmful UV rays.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
After contact, the symptoms arise when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024
Free radicals are harmful molecules that come from negative factors like UV rays, pollution, and psycho-emotional stress.1
Research indicates that chronic oxidative stress can contribute to a variety of diseases, including cancer and heart disease, while also accelerating the effects of aging.
—Johna Burdeos, Health, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ray
Dictionary Entries Near ray
Cite this Entry
“Ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ray. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ray
1 of 2 noun
: any of numerous flat broad fishes (as stingrays and skates) usually living on the sea bottom and having eyes on the upper surface of their bodies, a long narrow tail, and a skeleton made of cartilage
ray
2 of 2 noun1
a
: one of the lines of light that appear to be given off by a bright object
b
: a thin beam of radiant energy (as light)
c
: a stream of particles (as electrons) traveling in the same line
2
a
: any of a group of lines coming from a common center
b
3
: a plant or animal structure that resembles a ray: as
a
b
: one of the bony rods in the fin of a fish
4
: a tiny bit
a ray of hope
Medical Definition
ray
1 of 2 noun
: any of numerous elasmobranch fishes (order Hypotremata) having the body flattened dorsoventrally, the eyes on the upper surface, and a much-reduced caudal region having typically a slender process often with venomous spines
ray
2 of 2 noun1
: one of the lines of light that appear to radiate from a bright object
2
: a beam of radiant energy (as light) of small cross section
3
a
: a stream of material particles traveling in the same line (as in radioactive phenomena)
b
: a single particle of such a stream
Biographical Definition
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