ray

noun (1)

\ ˈrā

Definition of ray

(Entry 1 of 6)

: any of an order (Rajiformes) of usually marine cartilaginous fishes (such as stingrays and skates) having the body flattened dorsoventrally, the eyes on the upper surface, and enlarged pectoral fins fused with the head

ray

noun (2)

Definition of ray (Entry 2 of 6)

1a : any of the lines of light that appear to radiate from a bright object

b : a beam of radiant energy (such as light) of small cross section

c(1) : a stream of material particles traveling in the same line (as in radioactive phenomena)

(2) : a single particle of such a stream

2a : light cast by rays : radiance

b : a moral or intellectual light

3 : a thin line suggesting a ray: such as

a : any of a group of lines diverging from a common center

b : half line

4a : one of the bony rods that extend and support the membrane in the fin of a fish

b : one of the radiating divisions of the body of a radiate animal (such as a starfish)

5a : a branch or flower stalk of an umbel

b(1) : medullary ray

(2) : vascular ray

c : ray flower sense 1

6 : particle, trace a ray of hope

ray

verb

rayed; raying; rays

Definition of ray (Entry 3 of 6)

intransitive verb

1a : to shine in or as if in rays

b : to issue as rays

2 : to extend like the radii of a circle : radiate

transitive verb

1 : to emit in rays

2 : to furnish or mark with rays

Ray

biographical name (1)

\ ˈrā

Definition of Ray (Entry 4 of 6)

John 1627–1705 English naturalist

Ray

biographical name (2)

Definition of Ray (Entry 5 of 6)

Nicholas 1911–1979 born Raymond Nicholas Kienzle American film director

Ray

biographical name (3)

\ ˈrī

, ˈrā

Definition of Ray (Entry 6 of 6)

Satyajit 1921–1992 Indian film director, writer, and producer

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Synonyms for ray

Synonyms: Verb

Examples of ray in a Sentence

Verb klieg lights were raying against the nighttime sky at the Hollywood premiere laugh wrinkles rayed out from the corners of the old man's eyes

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Dictionary Entries Near ray

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Cite this Entry

“Ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ray. Accessed 21 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for ray

ray

noun

\ ˈrā

Kids Definition of ray

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : one of the lines of light that appear to be given off by a bright object rays of sunlight

2 : a thin beam of radiant energy (as light)

3 : light cast in rays

4 : a tiny bit : particle a ray of hope

5 : any of a group of lines that spread out from the same center

6 : a straight line extending from a point in one direction only

7 : a slender plant or animal structure Bony rays support a fish's fin.

ray

noun

Kids Definition of ray (Entry 2 of 2)

: a flat broad fish (as a skate or stingray) related to the shark that has its eyes on the top of its head and often winglike fins

ray

noun

\ ˈrā

Medical Definition of ray

(Entry 1 of 2)

: any of numerous elasmobranch fishes (order Hypotremata) having the body flattened dorsoventrally, the eyes on the upper surface, and a much-reduced caudal region having typically a slender process often with venomous spines

ray

noun

Medical Definition of ray (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : one of the lines of light that appear to radiate from a bright object

2 : a beam of radiant energy (as light) of small cross section

3a : a stream of material particles traveling in the same line (as in radioactive phenomena)

b : a single particle of such a stream