stray

noun

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\ ˈstrā

Definition of stray

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : a domestic animal that is wandering at large or is lost

b : a person or thing that strays

2 [Middle English, from straien to stray] archaic : the act of going astray

stray

verb

strayed; straying; strays

Definition of stray (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

: wander: such as

a : to wander from company, restraint, or proper limits

b : to roam about without fixed direction or purpose

c : to move in a winding course : meander

d : to move without conscious or intentional effort eyes straying absently around the room

e : to become distracted from an argument or train of thought strayed from the point

f : to wander accidentally from a fixed or chosen route

g : err, sin

stray

adjective

Definition of stray (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : having strayed or escaped from a proper or intended place a stray dog

2 : occurring at random or sporadically stray thoughts

3 : not serving any useful purpose : unwanted stray light

Other Words from stray Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about stray

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Examples of stray in a Sentence

Noun Both of her cats were strays that she found wandering in the neighborhood. Verb The airplane strayed off course. our straying son swears he's returned to the straight and narrow Adjective stray sightings of UFO's, none of which have been rigorously analyzed by scientists

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The girl, dressed in a bumblebee costume, was walking with her father when was shot by an apparent stray bullet in the Little Village neighborhood. — Grace Hauck, USA TODAY, "Chicago teen charged in suspected gang shooting that injured girl who was trick-or-treating," 2 Nov. 2019 Two days after Aamir’s death, a 16-year-old girl in Jamaica was struck in the arm by a stray bullet when a fight erupted during dismissal at New Dawn Charter High School II. — Corina Knoll, New York Times, "At 14, He Stayed Away From Trouble. But a Bullet Flew 100 Yards.," 31 Oct. 2019 Authorities say the victim was an innocent bystander who caught a stray bullet in the back after a drug deal went awry. — Josh Kovner, courant.com, "New Britain’s Mark Schand awarded $27M by federal jury in wrongful imprisonment lawsuit," 23 Sep. 2019 One journalist hit by a stray bullet while covering the protest also died at the hospital, confirmed his employer, local TV station Channels Television, on Monday evening. — Bukola Adebayo, CNN, "Protests turn deadly as the Islamic Movement of Nigeria clash with police," 22 July 2019 In the mid-19th century, New York City adopted a policy to drown stray dogs that were not claimed. — Alicia Parlapiano, New York Times, "Why Euthanasia Rates at Animal Shelters Have Plummeted," 3 Sep. 2019 In Chile, stray dogs were the top concern among city dwellers surveyed this year, topping deteriorating sidewalks and theft. — Washington Post, "The dog is one of the world’s most destructive mammals. Brazil proves it.," 20 Aug. 2019 In Chile, stray dogs were the top concern among city dwellers surveyed this year, topping deteriorating sidewalks and theft. — Anchorage Daily News, "The dog is one of the world’s most destructive mammals. Brazil proves it.," 21 Aug. 2019 Last year, animal control took in more than 16,000 animals, which included stray animals and pets surrendered to the agency by owners, according to city data. — Javonte Anderson, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago animal rescue groups partner to ‘save as many’ animals as possible this weekend," 9 Aug. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The supermodel switched up her signature brunette strands at London Fashion Week While Kendall Jenner‘s famous family has been known to dabble with different hair colors, the supermodel has never strayed from her signature brunette hue — until now! — Kaitlyn Frey, PEOPLE.com, "Kendall Jenner Debuts Blonde Hair for the First Time on Burberry Runway," 16 Sep. 2019 Skaggs tells Billboard the video was intended to address criticism that Skaggs had strayed too far from his traditional roots with his crossover style. — Dave Brooks, Billboard, "Ricky Skaggs on Bill Monroe's Legacy, 'Big Family: The Story of Bluegrass Music' Doc Airing Tonight on PBS," 30 Aug. 2019 Things would have been downright tame if HBO hadn’t strayed from last year’s game plan to bleep out profanity while documenting the Browns. — Jon Becker, The Mercury News, "Was Raiders’ first ‘Hard Knocks’ episode really that bad?," 7 Aug. 2019 That’s not to say Clairo strayed too far from the highly personal, diaristic and borderline stream-of-consciousness lyrics that first endeared her to her ever-growing fanbase. — Dan Hyman, chicagotribune.com, "Clairo gets to show off her newfound sonic lack of insecurity at Pitchfork Fest," 17 July 2019 Captain Wendie Renard missed the goal entirely with her first attempt against Nigeria, but was given a second chance when replays showed the goalkeeper had strayed a few inches off her line. — Joshua Robinson, WSJ, "Video Assistant Referee Technology Grinds the Women’s World Cup to a Halt," 25 June 2019 Archaeology turns to animals Archaeology has strayed into the animal kingdom before, but until this study, it was focused mostly on primates such as chimpanzees. — National Geographic, "Sea otters use tools, too. Now scientists look at their 'archaeology'," 29 Mar. 2019 Several factors played into the Louisville church's decision to leave, Childs said, but congregants largely felt the denomination had strayed from the teachings of the Bible and the United Methodist Book of Discipline. — Sarah Fowler, USA TODAY, "Mississippi church votes to leave United Methodists; it's the third one in less than 2 years," 28 Mar. 2018 After fielding the ball, the shortstop saw that Cabrera had strayed too far off second. — Dennis Lin, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Margot, Coleman help Padres past Mets," 27 July 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Jeffrey Worrell, 63, died on the afternoon of July 16, 2017, when he was hit by a stray bullet from a shootout while sitting at a picnic table in a park in the same neighborhood as Thursday’s gunfire. — Christine Dempsey, courant.com, "Teen who fatally struck woman during shootout arrested; Yvonne Smith’s death one of 5 in recent years involving juveniles and stolen cars," 25 Oct. 2019 Félix was hit by a stray bullet Friday amid what police said was a shootout with suspected criminals. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Rio family buries girl killed by stray bullet; police blamed," 22 Sep. 2019 Barefoot toddlers play with stray dogs and crowing roosters near a barren well. — NBC News, "Made in Cambodia: How women in poverty are supplying America's market for hair," 21 Sep. 2019 This presents a challenge for the humane society to find room for any stray dogs brought in by animal control or unwanted dogs relinquished by their owner. — S. Wayne Carter Jr., baltimoresun.com, "With kennels nearing capacity, Harford County humane society is waiving adoption fees for dogs," 23 July 2019 That prompted interest in the stray dogs — and their descendants left behind. — Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, "Puppies and nuclear reactors: HBO series draws attention to stray dogs of Chernobyl," 18 June 2019 This season’s lineup features a typically AGT assortment of child prodigies, musicians, choirs, and dance acts, along with a stray stand-up comedian. — Tyler Aquilina, EW.com, "Everything you need to know about the America's Got Talent season 14 finalists," 12 Sep. 2019 Local health officials did not say whether the fox is suspected to be rabid but cautioned residents from feeding or approaching wild or stray animals, the Ledge Light Health District announced Monday afternoon. — Zach Murdock, courant.com, "Fox attacks 2 people in East Lyme, 1 person hospitalized," 9 Sep. 2019 Shardae and Zha'lea are sisters of 8-year-old Jurnee Thompson who was killed by a stray bullet last Friday night. — Josiah Bates, Time, "'This Crisis Has Gone Undiscussed and Unaddressed For Years.' St. Louis Grapples With Wave of Gun Violence That Killed 13 Children This Summer," 23 Aug. 2019

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