lay down

verb

laid down; laying down; lays down

transitive verb

1
: to give up : surrender
lay down your arms
2
a
: establish, prescribe
lay down a scale for a map
b
: to assert or command dogmatically
lay down the law
3
a
: store, preserve
laid down a young wine
b
: record
laying down songs for their new album
4
a
: to direct toward a target
lay down a barrage
b
: to hit along the ground
laid down a sacrifice bunt

intransitive verb

nonstandard : to lie down

Examples of lay down in a Sentence

the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For founders thinking about legacy and endurance, this approach lays down roots and builds something that keeps its shape over time, for the people who trust it to stick around. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Consider laying down extra washable rugs, like hallway runners, in the winter to make cleaning them easier and keep feet warmer. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024 The fundamentals had been laid down by the likes of 1996’s Tomb Raider and Quake. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024 This parenting hack gives us all permission to do playtime laying down. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lay down 

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lay down was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near lay down

Cite this Entry

“Lay down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay%20down. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

lay down

verb
1
: establish sense 1, prescribe
lay down standards
2
: to state or declare forcefully
lay down the law

More from Merriam-Webster on lay down

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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