manta ray

noun

Synonyms of manta raynext
: devil ray
especially : a ray (Manta birostris) that averages 22 feet (6.7 meters) in width with a weight reaching 3000 pounds (1361 kilograms)

Illustration of manta ray

Illustration of manta ray

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of manta ray in a Sentence

the manta ray blended in beautifully with the sandy ocean floor
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.
Enjoy your last Belizean sunset at the serene Rendezvous Caye, where manta rays will come to shore to bid you farewell — until next time, that is. — Patricia Johnson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2024 While the Indian Ocean boasts iconic creatures spanning from the green sea turtle to the dugong, the manta ray has captivated cultures across the globe for centuries, earning a reputation for their large size and gentle disposition. — Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 Throughout all four days of the retreat, guests can take part in fascinating educational seminars, with topics spanning from manta ray identification methods to the inner workings of plankton, a diverse type of organism that makes up the bulk of a manta ray’s diet. — Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 In a paper published on Wednesday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, a pair of researchers analyzed tails belonging to cownose rays, a smaller relative of manta rays. — Jack Tamisiea, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manta ray

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of manta ray was in 1951

Rhymes for manta ray

See All Rhymes for manta ray

Browse Nearby Words

manta ray
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Manta ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manta%20ray. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

manta ray

noun
man·​ta ray
ˈmant-ə-
: any of several extremely large rays that are widely distributed in warm seas and have enlarged pectoral fins resembling wings

called also devilfish, manta

More from Merriam-Webster on manta ray

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about manta ray

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All