as in to store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place
be sure to lay in enough food for the long Alaska winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lay in
Rose gobbled it up, lay in my arms and not long after was at rest.
—
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
The second fragment of fabric (Tx2) lay in a large domestic house—also destroyed by fire—which contained six rooms lined with storage vessels and clay chests.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026
Colleyville Heritage dumps Argyle in 2 OTs Colleyville Heritage got a hugh lay in by Sameer Johnson at the fourth quarter buzzer, off an assist by Dmauri Evans, to tie the game at 48 allowing the Panthers to subdue Argyle 57-51 in double overtime on Thursday.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors said Morgan lay in wait in his Jeep at the corner of Wortman and Alabama Aves.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay in
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
The second fragment of fabric (Tx2) lay in a large domestic house—also destroyed by fire—which contained six rooms lined with storage vessels and clay chests.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026
Colleyville Heritage dumps Argyle in 2 OTs Colleyville Heritage got a hugh lay in by Sameer Johnson at the fourth quarter buzzer, off an assist by Dmauri Evans, to tie the game at 48 allowing the Panthers to subdue Argyle 57-51 in double overtime on Thursday.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors said Morgan lay in wait in his Jeep at the corner of Wortman and Alabama Aves.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay in
Verb
-
But Sorgenfrei said the cost and efficiency of storing a backup bike in the Peninsula won't be feasible.—
Sooji Nam,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Ultraviolet light from its host star triggers the creation of sulfur dioxide in the upper atmosphere, and a massive sub-surface magma ocean acts as a buffer, storing and releasing volatile gases over billions of years.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to Spickard, the top slots are useful for stashing brushes and pencils.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Everly Quinn Shoe Storage Cabinet Set For big households—or avid shoe collectors—this set of cabinets can stash up to 32 pairs in four flip-out drawers.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But thanks to their reproductive vigor — females can lay up to 25,000 eggs in a single season — their numbers quickly hopped out of hand.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Female wasps can lay up to 200 eggs a day as long as a host insect is available.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
9 Mar. 2026
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20in. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
