Lay is often used where lie is considered standard, as in "I'm going to lay down for a quick nap." The use, which dates to the 14th century, troubled no one until the 18th, but since then, people who care …

LAY definition: 1. to put something in especially a flat or horizontal position, usually carefully or for a…. Learn more.

LAY definition: to put or place in a horizontal position or position of rest; set down. See examples of lay used in a sentence.

1. To give up; abandon: lay aside all hope of rescue. 2. To save for the future: laid aside money for a vacation.

If you lay something such as carpets, cables, or foundations, you put them into their permanent position. A man came to lay the carpet.

Definition of lay verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Jan 20, 2026 · One is that the form lay was also originally used as both the base form of lay and as the simple past of lie. Another is the use of lay as a reflexive verb meaning “to go lie (down)”.

The verb lay in most of its meanings takes an object, and a general rule to remember is that if the word "put, place,'' can be substituted in a sentence, then lay is the verb to use: Lay (= put, place) the …

Lay Zhang’s “Rock the Heavenly Palace” full stage performance at the CHROMOSOME UNIVERSE NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN SHOW 2025 is here! An epic Eastern stage myth comes to life, …

The way or position in which something is situated or arranged. The lay of the land.