manta ray

noun

: devil ray

especially : a ray (Manta birostris) that averages 22 feet (6.7 meters) in width with a weight reaching 3000 pounds (1361 kilograms)

Illustration of manta ray

Synonyms

• ray
• sea devil
• manta

Examples of manta ray in a Sentence

the manta ray blended in beautifully with the sandy ocean floor

Recent Examples on the Web

This problem, though, has been beautifully solved by evolution in remora suckerfish, which use an adhesive disk on top of their heads to attach to animals like dolphins, sharks, and even manta rays. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Aug. 2025

This work goes back over a decade ago, when between 2009 and 2010, Marshall spotted an unusual manta ray in Brazilian footage captured by Brazilian researcher Ana Paula, who had spent years documenting these majestic animals. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Keeping giant manta rays in aquariums is challenging. —Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025

More than a dozen species of stingrays are found in Florida's waters, including the southern stingray, the yellow stingray, the Atlantic stingray, and several manta rays, per the FWC. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for manta ray

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

manta ray

noun

man·​ta ray

ˈmant-ə-

: any of several extremely large rays that are widely distributed in warm seas and have enlarged pectoral fins resembling wings

called also devilfish, manta