noun
ray
ray
noun
1
A narrow beam of light or other radiation.
"A single ray of sunlight broke through the clouds."
2
A line extending endlessly in one direction from a fixed point (in geometry).
"The diagram showed a ray starting at point A."
3
A flat-bodied fish related to sharks, with wide wing-like fins and a whip-like tail.
"A ray glided silently along the ocean floor."
verb
1
To spread outward from a central point, like light.
"Cracks rayed out from the point of impact on the windshield."
How to Use Ray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA beam of light, a geometric line from a point, or a flat-bodied ocean fish.
Common pairings
ray of sunlight
ray of hope
stingray
x-ray
Word Forms
rayed past tense, rayed past tense, rays plural, rays plural, rays plural, rays singular, rays singular
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A single _____ of sunlight broke through the clouds.
Etymology
Borrowed through Old French rai from Latin radius ("spoke, staff") — the same root as "radius" and "radiate."