devil ray

noun

: any of various very large rays (genera Manta and Mobula of the family Mobulidae) widely distributed in warm seas that have large, triangular, winglike pectoral fins and a pair of hornlike lobes near the mouth which are used to guide plankton and other small aquatic organisms into the mouth, that typically lack a stinger on the tail, and that reproduce viviparously producing one or two offspring at birth

called also devilfish

compare manta ray

Examples of devil ray in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Snorkelers might spot turtles and devil rays, and there are several wrecks to explore by scuba. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023 The event will be sponsored by the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans and will include a presentation about Mobula munkiana, a species of devil ray that was named after Munk, who spent most of his career at UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2022 Scientists collected genetic samples from devil ray embryos during different stages of fin development to see which genes were active. Alison MacKey, Discover Magazine, 5 Dec. 2018 In the Sea of Cortez, aggressive overfishing wiped out local populations of two reef manta ray cousins, the oceanic manta ray and the devil ray, in just 20 years. Terence Monmaney, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Sep. 2022 Most of the devil ray dives had an unusual stepwise profile. Stephanie Pain, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2022 Manta belong to the genus Mobula (formerly Manta), containing ten species - two (possibly three) manta and eight devil ray species. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 6 July 2021 Several species of sharks, as well as all manta and devil rays, are protected under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Jordan Culver, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2020 On the top floor of the aquarium (The Vista), breathtaking views of cruise ships and Miami’s skyline compete with the 100-foot wide, 500,000-gallion tank where mahi-mahi, devil rays, tuna, and hammerhead sharks cavort. Necee Regis, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'devil ray.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of devil ray was in 1832

Dictionary Entries Near devil ray

Cite this Entry

“Devil ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devil%20ray. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

devil ray

noun
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