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

Last Friday, researchers from Cal State Long Beach's Shark Lab brought a net to Seal Beach and collected a few hundred stingrays in just one area. — Michele Gile, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

In Southern California, lifeguards can treat 10,000 stingray injuries a year, Lowe said. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

The family also appeared to get up close and personal with some sea creatures, and in one picture, Valente could be seen holding his son above the water as what appeared to be a stingray swam by. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026

Out in the deeper channel and above the seagrass beds cruise green and loggerhead turtles, Nassau groupers, nurse sharks, and southern stingrays. — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stingray

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

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