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

In religious organizations, the laity (/ ˈleɪəti /) — individually a layperson, layman or laywoman — consists of all members who are not part of the clergy, usually including any non- ordained members …

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

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

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

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 …

To lay is to set something down or put it in a horizontal position. It can also mean to position or prepare something for action — or simply to lay eggs.

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

The use of lay to mean “lie” occurs commonly in informal speech but it is regarded as an error by many people.