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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Eating on the fly Because manta rays are essentially giant moving water filters, researchers from MIT looked to them and other mobula rays (a group that includes mantas and devil rays) for inspiration when figuring out potential improvements to industrial water filters. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 31 Dec. 2024 Manta and devil rays are, arguably, some of the most iconic marine species in the world. Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Devil ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devil%20ray. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

devil ray

noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!