stingray

noun

sting·​ray ˈstiŋ-ˌrā 

: 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

Illustration of stingray

Examples of stingray in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The juveniles — around 5 and 6 feet long — like the sandy shallow waters that keep them safe from predators, and the plentiful food of stingrays and small sharks that live near shore, Lowe noted. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026

After the storm, the stingrays returned to The Florida Aquarium. —ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026

The animals were like stingrays, White said. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026

Eager to please the guests, Mike chats with them about the turtles, stingrays, and fish, but there is a strong current that makes swimming a struggle for some guests and almost takes one of them, Liz, away. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stingray

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

stingray

noun

sting·​ray ˈstiŋ-ˌrā 

: any of numerous rays that have one or more large sharp stinging spines near the base of the whiplike tail

Medical Definition

stingray

noun

sting·​ray

ˈstiŋ-ˌrā also -rē

: any of numerous large flat cartilaginous fishes (order Myliobatiformes 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