stingray

noun sting·ray \ ˈstiŋ-ˌrā \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Definition of stingray

: any of numerous rays (as of the family Dasyatidae) with one or more large sharp barbed dorsal spines near the base of the whiplike tail capable of inflicting severe wounds

See stingray defined for English-language learners

See stingray defined for kids

Recent Examples of stingray from the Web

In Stingray Bay, guests can touch sharks and stingrays.

— colleen creamer, New York Times, "36 Hours in Chattanooga," 24 May 2018
Sea Life Arizona Aquarium This aquarium at Arizona Mills in Tempe has an interactive tide pool, a stingray exhibit, ocean view tunnel and a critter canyon with snakes, tarantulas and tortoises.

— wendy killeen, azcentral, "Indoor playgrounds, trampoline parks and places in Phoenix kids can play and stay cool," 24 May 2018
As Ars has reported for years, stingrays determine a phone's location by spoofing a cell tower.

— cyrus farivar, Ars Technica, "Senators to DOJ: Reveal your secret paragraph-long explanation of stingrays," 17 May 2018
The female stingrays will grow to be about five feet wide and the males a little smaller.

— matt campbell, kansascity, "What do stingrays feel like? And are they safe? What to know about new KC Zoo exhibit | The Kansas City Star," 1 May 2018
Marine Aquarium Feeding Learn about behaviors of native fish, stingrays, and other marine life during free daily presentations.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Boca Raton area events: May 9-19," 7 May 2018
The aquarium is home to dolphins, sea turtles, river otter, fish, shark, pelicans and stingrays.

— richard tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Pinellas County: Winter and Hope hold court," 6 May 2018
The only other consolation is that stingrays have geographic limits.

— lily hay newman, WIRED, "DC's Stingray Mess Won't Get Cleaned Up," 6 Apr. 2018
Walker helmed the creation of puppets representing sea creatures such as jellyfish, stingrays and turtles, which will be placed on stage and throughout the auditorium.

— jeff piorkowski/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "'The Little Mermaid' swims into Mayfield High School auditorium for shows April 13-22," 10 Apr. 2018

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

Illustration of stingray

First Known Use of stingray

1624

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

STINGRAY Defined for English Language Learners

stingray

noun

Definition of stingray for English Language Learners

: a type of fish that has a large, flat body and a long tail with spines on it that are used to sting other animals

STINGRAY Defined for Kids

stingray

noun sting·ray \ ˈstiŋ-ˌrā \

Definition of stingray for Students

: a flat fish with a sharp stinging spine on its long thin tail

Medical Dictionary

stingray

noun sting·ray \ ˈstiŋ-ˌrā also -rē \

medical Definition of stingray

: any of numerous large flat cartilaginous fishes (order Rajiformes and especially family Dasyatidae) with one or more large sharp barbed dorsal spines near the base of the whiplike tail capable of inflicting severe wounds