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.

Lay means to place something down, while lie means to rest in a flat position. Lay is a transitive verb that requires an object, but lie is intransitive and does not take an object.

Lay is a transitive verb and requires a direct object when used properly in a sentence. By definition, it means to place (or put) something or someone down in a resting position.

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

Lay is used with some nouns in expressions about accusing or blaming someone. For example, if you lay the blame for a mistake on someone, you say it is their fault, or if the police lay charges against …

The past tense of lie is lay, but not because there is any overlap between the two verbs. So when you say, “I lay down for a nap,” you’re actually using the verb lie, not lay, despite the way it sounds.

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

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.