Definition Synonyms
Definition of laying - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
actionact of placing something down
- The careful laying of bricks ensured a strong wall..
2.
egg productionTECH. the act of producing eggs by birdsTECH.
- The laying of eggs occurs in spring.
Adjective
1.
positionRare US in a horizontal positionRare US
- The laying logs were ready to be chopped.
2.
eggsTECH. related to the production of eggsTECH.
- The laying hens are kept in a special coop.
Expressions with laying
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
cease giving orders or commands strictly or authoritatively
Please stop laying down the law and listen to others.
the act of installing pipes
The workers were busy with the laying pipe for the new building.
ceremony marking the start of a building project
The laying of the first stone was attended by the mayor.
the process of producing eggs by animals
The egg laying of turtles occurs on sandy beaches.
method to ordain someone into a clerical position by hand placement
The bishop's laying on of hands officially ordained the new priests.
work of installing long wires for power or communication systems
The company specializes in cable laying for offshore wind farms.
hen kept for producing eggs
The farmer bought more laying hens for the coop.
way to make a fence with plants
Hedge laying helps keep the sheep in.
Origin of laying
Old English, lecgan (to place)
Terms with laying included in their meaning
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animal
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrate distinguished by feathers
bird
structure built by birds for laying eggs
overlaying
placing or laying over something else
timber borer
large solitary bee drilling wood tunnels for nesting and egg-laying
nesting bird
bird known for laying eggs in other nests
science
process of accumulating or laying down material
animal
spiny, egg-laying mammal native to Australia and New Guinea
construction
process of laying or renewing the top layer of a road
mathematics
act of partially covering something by laying over it
bird behavior
migratory bird known for its call and laying eggs in other nests
biology
plant that monarch caterpillars eat and adults use for egg-laying
biology
the laying of eggs
military
laying explosive mines in an area
destruction
act of destruction or laying waste
road building
build a road by laying logs across the path
bird's nest
artificial egg placed to encourage laying
hedgerow
stem of a shrub used in hedge laying
textiles
the act of laying small gathers in cloth
poultry breed
breed of chicken known for its egg-laying
entomology
metallic blue or green fly laying eggs in carrion
insects
fly of family Calliphoridae laying eggs in decay
construction
construction work made by laying bricks together with mortar
maritime
vessel for laying and repairing submarine cables
farmyard sound
hen or other fowl making loud laughlike cry, often after laying
Examples of laying in a sentence
The laying of the carpet was done professionally. The farmer monitors the laying to ensure healthy chicks. Laying is crucial for the poultry industry. The laying bricks formed the base of the structure. She tripped over the laying cables. Farmers monitor the laying period closely.
Laying birds require specific nutrients.
View all translations of laying
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:pose, couché, ...
- German:Verlegung, liegend, ...
- Italian:collocazione, sdraiato, ...
- Spanish:colocación, acostado, ...
- Portuguese:assentamento, deitado, ...
- Chinese:放置, 横放的, ...
- Japanese:敷設, 横たわっている, ...
- Arabic:وَضْع, أُفُقِيّ, ...
- Hebrew:הֲנָחָה, שׁוֹכֵב, ...
- Russian:укладка, лежащий, ...
- Ukrainian:укладання, лежачий, ...
- Hindi:बिछाने, लेटे हुए, ...
Definition of lay - Reverso English Dictionary
Verb
1.
place gentlyput something down gently or carefully
- She lay the book on the table.
2.
constructionTECH. install building materials in positionTECH.
- They lay the tiles in the kitchen.
3.
responsibilityimpose or apply as a burden
- They lay a tax on all imports..
4.
reproductionintr. produce and deposit eggsintr.
- The hen lay an egg every morning.
5.
gamblingUS bet a certain amount of moneyUS
- I'll lay $50 on the winning horse..
Adjective
1.
non-professionalnot belonging to a particular profession
- He offered some lay advice on the matter..
2.
religionnot part of the clergy or religious order
- He is a lay member of the church.
Noun
1.
- He was just a lay, nothing serious.
2.
designUS arrangement or relationship; layoutUS
- The lay of the land was perfect for farming.
3.
businessTECH. share of the profits in a businessTECH.
- He received his lay from the deal.
4.
musicDated ballad or sung poemDated
- The minstrel sang a lay at the feast.
5.
biologyTECH. the laying of eggsTECH.
- The hen's lay was abundant this season.
6.
nauticalTECH. the direction a rope is twistedTECH.
- The lay of the rope affects its strength.
Images of lay

the direction a rope is twisted
Expressions with lay
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
place something on top of another
Lay the blanket over the bed to keep warm.
criticize someone harshly
The coach laid into the team after the loss.
explain clearly and in detail
She will lay out the plan during the meeting..
say you have a right to something or demand it
She laid claim to the land after her uncle died.
produce an egg from the body
The hen will lay an egg every day.
physically touch someone, often to cause harm
Despite his efforts, he couldn't lay a glove on her.
touch or handle someone or something, sometimes with intent to harm
Don't lay a hand on my brother!
openly share all plans or feelings in a discussion
Before negotiations continue, let's lay our cards on the table.
end employees' jobs due to economic reasons
The company had to lay people off during the recession.
establish the basis for a concept
Her research laid the foundation for modern genetics.
start the basic work for a project
They lay the foundations for the new school last year.
prepare the foundation for future actions
They lay the ground for the new project.
harm or interfere with someone or something
Don't lay a finger on my books.
start or establish something
They lay a foundation for future success with their hard work.
stop fighting and surrender weapons
The soldiers were ordered to lay down their arms.
stop fighting or surrender
The soldiers were ordered to lay down their weapons and cease fire.
assert authority by dictating rules
The teacher laid down the law about homework.
give special importance or attention to something
The teacher lay emphasis on the need for honesty.
see or notice something for the first time
I knew it was love when I first laid eyes on her.
to find and acquire something desired
She finally managed to lay hands on the rare book she wanted..
exaggerate or overstate something
He tends to lay it on when talking about his achievements.
trends and factors influencing a situation
He assessed the lay of the land before making a decision.
apply a substance thickly
He decided to lay on the paint to cover the graffiti..
risk something valuable
He laid his career on the line for the project.
Origin of lay
Old English, lecgan (to place)
Examples of lay in a sentence
Gently, she lay the baby in the crib. Workers lay the bricks for the new wall. They lay the foundation for the building. The government will lay new regulations on the industry. They lay penalties on late submissions. The turtle will lay its eggs on the beach.
Birds lay eggs in nests to protect them. He decided to lay $100 on the underdog. They lay a small amount on each game. Her lay perspective provided a fresh viewpoint. The book was written for a lay audience. She attended the lay conference last weekend. The lay perspective is often different from clergy. She considered him just a lay, not a boyfriend. In college, he was known as a lay, not a lover. The designer adjusted the lay of the interface. Check the lay of the tiles before grouting. Each partner got their lay after the project. The lay from the investment was substantial. The bard composed a lay for the royal court. A beautiful lay was performed by the choir during the ceremony. The farmer was pleased with the duck's lay this year. Observing the turtle's lay was a unique experience. The sailor checked the lay before setting sail. Understanding the lay is crucial for knot tying.
View all translations of lay
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:poser, non professionnel, ...
- German:legen, laienhaft, ...
- Italian:posare, laico, ...
- Spanish:poner, lego, ...
- Portuguese:colocar, leigo, ...
- Chinese:轻放, 外行的, ...
- Japanese:置く, 素人の, ...
- Arabic:وَضَعَ, عادي, ...
- Hebrew:לְהַנִּיחַ, לֹא מִקְצוֹעִי, ...
- Russian:класть, непрофессиональный, ...
- Ukrainian:класти, непрофесійний, ...
- Hindi:धीरे से रखना, ग़ैर-पेशेवर, ...
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