over·lay
ˌō-vər-ˈlā 
overlaid
ˌō-vər-ˈlād
; overlaying
; overlaying
1
a
: to lay or spread over or across : superimpose
b
: to prepare an overlay for
2
over·lay
ˈō-vər-ˌlā
: a covering either permanent or temporary: such as
a
: an ornamental veneer
b
: a decorative and contrasting design or article placed on top of a plain one
c
: a transparent sheet containing graphic matter to be superimposed on another sheet
Examples of overlay in a Sentence
Verb
you should apply a coat of primer first, and then overlay it with two coats of paint
cedar shingles overlaying one another on the roof
Noun
a silver ring with gold overlay
The wooden table has a marble overlay.
Recent Examples on the Web
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
These devices may be attached externally, hidden inside the pump, or paired with cameras or keypad overlays to capture PINs.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
Its light-amplification system has also been expanded to include optional thermal imaging and optical overlays.
—David Szondy
may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlay
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Verb
With a white leather upper, Fire Red Jumpman branding and accents and the sneaker’s iconic gray elephant print overlays, the White Cement Air Jordan 3 is widely praised as one of the top pairs in athletic footwear history.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
These devices may be attached externally, hidden inside the pump, or paired with cameras or keypad overlays to capture PINs.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Noun
There are no other local hotel tax overlays in Sacramento like the one Kaplan proposed, Testa said.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
Its light-amplification system has also been expanded to include optional thermal imaging and optical overlays.
—David Szondy
may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlay
Cite this Entry
“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlay. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overlay
1 of 2 verb
over·lay
ˌō-vər-ˈlā
overlaid
-ˈlād
; overlaying
; overlaying
1
: to lay or spread over or across
2
: overlie
overlay
2 of 2 noun
over·lay
ˈō-vər-ˌlā
: something (as a veneer on wood) that is overlaid
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