put (something) down gently or carefully

she laid the baby in his cot

he laid a comforting hand over hers

put down and set in position for use

it is advisable to have your carpet laid by a professional

used with an abstract noun so that the phrase formed has the same meaning as the verb related to the noun used, e.g. ‘lay the blame on’ means ‘to blame’

she laid great stress on little courtesies

(of a female bird, insect, reptile, or amphibian) produce (an egg) from inside the body

flamingos lay only one egg

the hens were laying at the same rate as usual

have sex with

follow (a specified course)

I'm going to lay a course for Ibiza harbour

trim (a hedge) back, cutting the branches half through, bending them down, and interweaving them

most hedges are no longer laid