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

the general appearance of an area of land

the lay of the surrounding countryside

an act or instance of having sex

the laying of eggs or the period during which they are laid

the onset of lay may be marked by a dropping of the duck's abdomen

not ordained into or belonging to the clergy

a lay preacher

not having professional qualifications or expert knowledge, especially in law or medicine

a lay member of the Health Authority

a short lyric or narrative poem meant to be sung

a minstrel recited a series of lays

(of a person or animal) be in or assume a horizontal or resting position on a supporting surface

the body lay face downwards on the grass

I had to lie down because I was groggy

Lily lay back on the pillows and watched him

be, remain, or be kept in a specified state

the abbey lies in ruins today

putting homeless families into private houses that would otherwise lie empty

(of a place) be situated in a specified position or direction

Kexby lies about five miles due east of York

(of an action, charge, or claim) be admissible or sustainable

an action for restitution would lie for money paid in breach of the law

tell a lie or lies

why had Ashenden lied about his visit to London?

‘I am sixty-five,’ she lied