Illustration of manta ray
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)
Examples of manta ray in a Sentence
the manta ray blended in beautifully with the sandy ocean floor
Recent Examples on the Web
Top 5 Can’t Miss Snorkeling the reefs will reveal tropical fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional manta ray.
—
Heema Patel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
The world’s oceans are home to an exquisite variety of sharks and rays, from the largest fishes in the sea – the majestic whale shark and manta rays – to the luminescent but rarely seen deep-water lantern shark and guitarfishes.
—Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Come nightfall, clouds of plankton swarm Kaunaoa's waters, bringing flocks of feasting manta rays to the shallows.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Dec. 2025
Other iconic marine animals, including whale sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks and manta rays, were also added to a list that bans all the commercial trade of their species or by-products.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2025
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Heema Patel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
The world’s oceans are home to an exquisite variety of sharks and rays, from the largest fishes in the sea – the majestic whale shark and manta rays – to the luminescent but rarely seen deep-water lantern shark and guitarfishes.
—Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Come nightfall, clouds of plankton swarm Kaunaoa's waters, bringing flocks of feasting manta rays to the shallows.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Dec. 2025
Other iconic marine animals, including whale sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks and manta rays, were also added to a list that bans all the commercial trade of their species or by-products.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manta ray
Cite this Entry
“Manta ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manta%20ray. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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