stingray

noun

sting·​ray ˈstiŋ-ˌrā How to pronounce stingray (audio)
: 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

Illustration of stingray

Examples of stingray in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Youngsters will love interacting with horseshoe crabs and starfish in the Tide Pool Touch Tank, petting the baby stingrays or even feeding the adult nurse sharks. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Speculation about the stingray has racked up more than 12 million views for a TikToker. Evan Bush, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 For a brief moment, some wondered aloud whether Charlotte, a round stingray about the size of a serving platter, might have been knocked up by a shark. Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2024 The surprise pregnancy of Charlotte, a stingray living in a tank without any male rays, has captivated people across the world and stirred a sudden interest in parthenogenesis, a scientific term that essentially means virgin birth. Evan Bush, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 At a time when humans are trying to restrict other people’s reproductive decisions, a stingray getting pregnant on her own has real folk hero potential. Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2024 California mansion sits on edge of a cliff after after Dana Point landslide: See photos Could a shark have impregnated a stingray at a North Carolina aquarium? Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024 Surprising pregnancy at aquarium leads to investigation Who impregnated this stingray when no male stingrays were present in the tank? Alexandra Banner, CNN, 15 Feb. 2024 Charlotte, a stingray in a small North Carolina aquarium, is taking a DIY approach to reproduction By Stephanie Pappas A stingray in a small aquarium in Hendersonville, N.C., has become pregnant—despite living in a tank without a male ray. Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stingray.' 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

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stingray was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near stingray

Cite this Entry

“Stingray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stingray. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stingray

noun
sting·​ray ˈstiŋ-ˌrā How to pronounce stingray (audio)
: 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 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

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