1 ray | Definition of ray

ray

noun (1)
\ ˈrā How to pronounce ray (audio) \

Definition of ray

 (Entry 1 of 6)

: any of an order (Rajiformes) of usually marine cartilaginous fishes (such as stingrays and skates) having the body flattened dorsoventrally, the eyes on the upper surface, and enlarged pectoral fins fused with the head

ray

noun (2)

Definition of ray (Entry 2 of 6)

1a : any of the lines of light that appear to radiate from a bright object
b : a beam of radiant energy (such as light) of small cross section
c(1) : a stream of material particles traveling in the same line (as in radioactive phenomena)
(2) : a single particle of such a stream
2a : light cast by rays : radiance
b : a moral or intellectual light
3 : a thin line suggesting a ray: such as
a : any of a group of lines diverging from a common center
b : half line
4a : one of the bony rods that extend and support the membrane in the fin of a fish
b : one of the radiating divisions of the body of a radiate animal (such as a starfish)
5a : a branch or flower stalk of an umbel
6 : particle, trace a ray of hope

ray

verb
rayed; raying; rays

Definition of ray (Entry 3 of 6)

intransitive verb

1a : to shine in or as if in rays
b : to issue as rays
2 : to extend like the radii of a circle : radiate

transitive verb

1 : to emit in rays
2 : to furnish or mark with rays

Ray

biographical name (1)
\ ˈrā How to pronounce Ray (audio) \

Definition of Ray (Entry 4 of 6)

John 1627–1705 English naturalist

Ray

biographical name (2)

Definition of Ray (Entry 5 of 6)

Nicholas 1911–1979 born Raymond Nicholas Kienzle American film director

Ray

biographical name (3)
\ ˈrī How to pronounce Ray (audio) , ˈrā How to pronounce Ray (audio) \

Definition of Ray (Entry 6 of 6)

Satyajit 1921–1992 Indian film director, writer, and producer

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from ray

Noun (2)

rayed \ ˈrād How to pronounce rayed (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms for ray

Synonyms: Verb

beam, radiate, shine

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of ray in a Sentence

Verb

klieg lights were raying against the nighttime sky at the Hollywood premiere laugh wrinkles rayed out from the corners of the old man's eyes

First Known Use of ray

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for ray

Noun (1)

Middle English raye, from Anglo-French raie, from Latin raia

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French rai, from Latin radius rod, ray

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for ray

ray

noun
\ ˈrā How to pronounce ray (audio) \

Kids Definition of ray

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : one of the lines of light that appear to be given off by a bright object rays of sunlight
2