lays; laid
ˈleɪd 
; laying
; laying
1
: to place (someone or something) down gently in a flat position
Lay the fabric carefully on the table.
He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.
She laid the baby in his crib for a nap.
He says that he never laid a finger/hand on her. [=that he never touched her]
—often + downHe laid the newspaper down on the desk.
She laid the baby down for his nap.
2
a
: to place (something) into position on or along a surface : to build or set (something) on or in the ground or another surface
When will they lay the foundation for the addition?
lay tracks for the new railroad
lay pipe/cable/lines
laying bricks
—often + downlaying down a new road/carpet
—often used figurativelyWe are laying the groundwork/foundation [=providing conditions] for additional research.
b
chiefly US
: to spread (something) over a surface
lay plaster/paint
lay wallpaper
3
: bury sense 1a
They laid him in his grave.
4
informal
: to be in a flat position on a surface : lie
The book was laying on the table.
Note: The use of lay to mean "lie" occurs commonly in informal speech but it is regarded as an error by many people.
5
a
: to beat or strike (something) down with force
The wheat was laid flat by the wind and rain.
b
: to change the condition of something in a specified way
The mountainside has been laid bare by loggers. [=all the trees on the mountainside have been cut down by loggers]
He laid bare his soul. = He laid his soul bare. [=he revealed his most private thoughts and feelings]
He laid himself open to criticism [=he exposed himself to criticism] with his remarks.
6
of a bird, insect, etc.
: to produce (an egg) outside of the body : to push (an egg) out of the body
birds that typically lay only two eggs per year
old chickens that no longer lay
7
—used like make, place, or put in various phrases
She has laid plans [=she has made plans] to cut the staff down to just 15 people.
Even the best-laid plans [=the most carefully made plans] sometimes go wrong.
She lays great stress/emphasis on good manners. [=she stresses/emphasizes good manners very much]
The author lays the blame/responsibility for the state of the environment squarely on the government. [=the author blames the government for the state of the environment]
8
: to make (something) ready : to prepare (something)
lay a trap
lay a fire in the fireplace
(Brit) Places were laid (at the table) for three people. [=silverware, glasses, and napkins were put on the table for three people who will be eating there]
(Brit) lay [=set] the table for a meal
9
informal
: to risk losing (money) if your guess about what will happen is wrong : bet
lay money on a race
10
informal + offensive
: to have sex with someone
—usually used in the phrase get laid
All he cares about is getting laid. [=having sex]
plural lays
informal + offensive
: a person who is being described as a sexual partner
a great lay
an easy lay [=a person who is very willing to have sex]
lay
3 of 4past tense of lie entry 1
always used before a noun
1
: not trained in a certain profession : not having a lot of knowledge about a certain thing
a science magazine written for the lay public
lay and professional readers
2
: belonging to a religion but not officially a priest, minister, etc.
lay preachers
Cite this Entry
“Lay.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/lay. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
