Laying

/ˈleɪ.ɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The action of placing something down.

The laying of the foundation took several weeks.

The process of producing eggs.

The laying of the eggs usually occurs at dawn.

verb

The act of putting something down in a flat or horizontal position.

She is laying the book on the table.

To place or set down in a specified position.

He is laying the groundwork for the new project.

To produce or deposit eggs, as in birds or reptiles.

The hen is currently laying eggs in the coop.

From Middle English 'leie', from Old English 'lecgan', meaning 'to lay down'.

laying down the law

to assert or enforce rules or authority.

laying it on thick

to exaggerate or overstate something.

laying the groundwork

to prepare the basics for a future project.

lie

to recline, to be in a flat position.

lay

to set down, to put something in a specific position.

laid

the past tense of lay, meaning to have placed something down.

hooking up

They were just laying together, no commitment.

getting busy

We spent the night laying.