ray

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈrā 

: 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

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

a

: 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

2

a

: 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

4

a

: 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)

5

a

: 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

rayed

ˈrād 

adjective

ray

3 of 3

verb

rayed; raying; rays

intransitive verb

1

a

: 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

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• beam

Verb

• shine
• glow
• beam

Examples of ray in a Sentence

Noun (2)

two red eyes reflected in the ray of light from the flashlight

the tapping sound ceased, extinguishing the last ray of hope that the trapped miners were still alive

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This is because the sun's rays are not as strong or there may not be as much sun in some areas.8 Your geographical location may make getting vitamin D from the sun more challenging than in other areas of the country. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 30 June 2025

Utilizing a body oil with SPF gives your skin that nice summer glow while also shielding it from harsh UV rays. —Cierra Black, Essence, 30 June 2025

Sunscreen Sunburn isn’t just a beach problem—UV rays intensify at high altitudes, making mountain sun protection crucial. —Mariana Zapata, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2025

The formula is lightweight, and has vitamin C plus milk thistle to gently and effectively soften and protect the hair and scalp from UV rays. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English raye, from Anglo-French raie, from Latin raia

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French rai, from Latin radius rod, ray

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing ray

• bat ray
• beta ray
• cathode ray
• cathode-ray tube
• cosmic ray
• death ray
• delta ray
• devil ray
• dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
• eagle ray
• electric ray
• gamma ray
• gamma ray burst
• glimmer/ray of hope
• manta ray
• medullary ray
• phloem ray
• pith ray
• ray flower
• ray of hope
• ray of sunshine
• ray tracing
• roentgen ray
• vascular ray
• wood ray
• x-ray
• X-ray astronomy
• X-ray diffraction
• X-ray star
• X-ray therapy
• X-ray tube
• xylem ray

Rhymes for ray

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

ray

1 of 2 noun

ˈrā 

: any of numerous flat broad fishes (as stingrays and skates) usually living on the sea bottom and having eyes on the upper surface of their bodies, a long narrow tail, and a skeleton made of cartilage

ray

2 of 2 noun

1

a

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

b

: a thin beam of radiant energy (as light)

c

: a stream of particles (as electrons) traveling in the same line

2

a

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

b

: half line

3

: a plant or animal structure that resembles a ray: as

a

: vascular ray

b

: one of the bony rods in the fin of a fish

4

: a tiny bit

a ray of hope

Etymology

Noun

Middle English raye "the ray (fish)," from early French raie (same meaning), from Latin raia (same meaning)

Noun

Middle English ray "a beam of light," from early French rai (same meaning), from Latin radius "ray, beam, spoke" — related to radiate, radio, radius

Medical Definition

ray

1 of 2 noun

ˈrā 

: 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

2 of 2 noun

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

3

a

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

b

: a single particle of such a stream

rayed

ˈrād 

adjective

Biographical Definition

Ray 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

ˈrā 

John 1627–1705 English naturalist

Ray

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Nicholas 1911–1979 born Raymond Nicholas Kienzle American film director

Ray

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

ˈrī  ˈrā 

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