manta ray

noun

Definition of manta ray

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

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Examples of manta ray in a Sentence

the manta ray blended in beautifully with the sandy ocean floor

Recent Examples on the Web

Fly with the Frank Mots Kite Festival Soon to be soaring to the highest height over the lakefront: a giant manta ray. — Chris Foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "10 things you should be doing in Milwaukee this weekend, from the Tomato Romp to Harbor Fest," 5 Sep. 2019 An extremely rare white manta ray was spotted (and filmed!) in Indonesia. — Ashley Shaffer, USA TODAY, "Wanted: His dad's frozen head," 11 June 2019 Since its inception, the MMRP has identified some 4,700 reef manta rays (via the unique spot patterns on their undersides) from 60,000 photo-identification sightings. — Alexandra Kirkman, Fortune, "These Sea Creatures Are Another Big Reason to Go to the Maldives," 8 June 2019 Bottlenose dolphins, magpies, and manta rays are among the few species that have passed that test. — Natasha Daly, National Geographic, "See 14 animals that have shown us their impressive smarts," 9 Sep. 2019 Jake Wilton thinks that the manta ray might have recognized him from his recent dives in the area. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "Huge Manta Ray Asks Diver for Help Removing Painful Hooks Caught in Her Eye," 17 July 2019 According to Dauphin Island Sea Lab, manta rays are the largest ray species in the world and can reach up to 30 feet across and weight over 3,000 pounds. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Giant Manta Ray Stuns Onlookers off Alabama Coast," 12 July 2019 The Dauphin Island Sea Lab recently shared a photo by Robert Agren showing the manta ray off the coast of Orange Beach. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al.com, "Giant manta ray spotted off Alabama coast," 9 July 2019 Thankfully, a giant manta ray with hooks caught in her eye found one of these buddies out in the deep blue sea. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "Huge Manta Ray Asks Diver for Help Removing Painful Hooks Caught in Her Eye," 17 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'manta ray.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

10 Oct 2019

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The first known use of manta ray was in 1951

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More Definitions for manta ray

manta ray

noun

man·ta ray | \ ˈman-tə-\

Kids Definition of manta ray

: a very large ray of warm seas that has fins that resemble wings

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