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

In February, the Aquarium and Shark Lab by Team ECCO in Hendersonville, North Carolina, announced that Charlotte, a female round stingray at the facility, was due to give birth to four pups. —Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2024

And if your kids love marine animals, the Miami Seaquarium provides an interactive experience with dolphins, stingrays and more. —Andrew J. Tardif, Miami Herald, 3 June 2024

After months of social media speculation, Team ECCO confirmed that Charlotte the California Round Ray has a 'reproductive disease' Months after making headlines with news of their stingray's mystery pregnancy, a North Carolina aquarium says the fish is facing a rare disease. —Athena Sobhan, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024

These stingray sightings have continued ever since. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 21 May 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