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

This was one of the reasons researchers believed sharks and other cartilaginous fish, including stingrays and sawfish, were silent. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025

Nine stingrays were tagged and monitored, allowing researchers to assess three different levels of activity: low, medium, and high. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

Outfitter Blue Water Divers offers trips here when the cruise ships aren’t in port, as that timing is less disruptive to the stingrays, and the company doesn’t feed or harass them. —Laura Begley Bloom, AFAR Media, 10 Mar. 2025

The stingray is used as a food source by local fishing communities. —Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stingray

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

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