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
• shaft

Verb

• beam
• radiate
• shine

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Each pair features lenses with UV400 protection from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. —Staff Author, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024

How, exactly, do the sun’s rays harm your skin cells and potentially lead to cancer? —Jessica Chia, SELF, 9 Apr. 2024

But enough rays will still get through to damage your eyes. —Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024

Gamma rays and cosmic rays spread out in all directions once emitted from a supernova, so the fraction that reach the Earth decreases with greater distance. —Chris Impey, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024

High above Antarctica, a massive hole had opened in the ozone shield that protects life on earth from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. —Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024

When observing a solar eclipse, the most important thing is to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. —The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024

This eye condition usually develops after unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. —Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2024

Male birds sport rays of magenta feathers on their throats. —Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024

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

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