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manta ray
noun
: devil ray
especially
: a ray (Manta birostris) that averages 22 feet (6.7 meters) in width with a weight reaching 3000 pounds (1361 kilograms)
Examples of manta ray in a Sentence
the manta ray blended in beautifully with the sandy ocean floor
Recent Examples on the Web
Every May through November, giant manta rays come to feed, amassing by the hundreds, doing somersaults to catch plankton in their open mouths while snorkelers watch on in awe.
—Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
The wildlife looks fantastic—clownfish, flounder, lobsters, manta rays, sharks, squids, and other creatures come to life with great detail, color, and animations.
—PCMAG, 30 Apr. 2024
To top it off, the water shelters manta rays, sea turtles, and a live reef begging to be explored.
—Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2023
The customs line was packed with middle-aged Americans sharing tips about the island’s best dive sites and where to spot six-foot manta rays, hawksbill turtles, and seahorses.
—Nora Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024
Home to a juvenile manta ray aggregation point, the lagoon is a significant research ground for the Manta Trust team and guests will have the chance to see the manta rays up close.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
And that’s where most of the natural diversity exists, from manta rays in the north to hammerhead sharks in the south.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
At one point, the speed boat captain spots a manta ray.
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024
These efforts have yielded significant discoveries related to manta ray gestation and maturity, contributing invaluable knowledge to global manta ray conservation efforts.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'manta 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
1951, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to manta ray
Dictionary Entries Near manta ray
Cite this Entry
“Manta ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manta%20ray. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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