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

The aquarium includes over 11 million gallons of water throughout its aquariums, some of which house larger marine life like whale sharks and manta rays. —Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025

Research has documented plastics in a variety of sharks (such as whale sharks, basking sharks, manta rays, Atlantic sharpnose sharks, and a few demersal sharks to name a few) across different habitats. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

The director was initially skeptical of Kennedy’s stories about riding a giant manta ray. —Addie Morfoot, Variety, 15 Sep. 2025

The pristine reefs here are home to an abundance of marine life and endless underwater cleaning stations that attract resident manta rays, whale sharks, and turtles. —Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 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