layer

1 of 2

noun

lay·​er ˈlā-ər  ˈler 

1

: one that lays something (such as a worker who lays brick or a hen that lays eggs)

2

a

: one thickness, course, or fold laid or lying over or under another

b

: stratum

c

: horizon sense 2

3

a

: a branch or shoot of a plant that roots while still attached to the parent plant

b

: a plant developed by layering

layered

ˈlā-ərd  ˈlerd 

adjective

layer

2 of 2

verb

layered; layering; layers

transitive verb

1

: to propagate (a plant) by means of layers

2

a

: to place as a layer

b

: to place a layer on top of

pancakes layered with butter and syrup

c

: to form or arrange in layers

intransitive verb

1

a

: to separate into layers

b

: to form out of superimposed layers

2

of a plant : to form roots where a stem comes in contact with the ground

Examples of layer in a Sentence

Noun

Everything was covered by a thin layer of sand.

The top layer of the rug is badly worn but the bottom layer is still OK.

The cake has three layers.

She glued together several layers of paper.

He was wearing several layers of clothing.

rocks that formed in layers from flows of lava

Verb

We layered the fruit with whipped cream and served it with cookies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Yang shot this campaign in front of London landmarks and neighborhoods, wearing tiered dresses and denim ensembles, along with light layers and mixed separates. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

If an outer or inner layer shatters — due to structural loads, bird strike or thermal stress — the additional layers maintain cabin pressure and structural integrity. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

Its lightweight material is breathable enough for warmer days, while the relaxed silhouette leaves plenty of room to layer it over sweaters after temperatures drop. — Kate Boswell, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Forgoing a shirt, Idol instead layered stacks of necklaces across his bare chest, creating a look that was spot-on with the VMA vibe. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1831, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Phrases Containing layer

• atomic layer deposition
• boundary layer
• D layer
• E layer
• F layer
• germ layer
• Heaviside layer
• layer cake
• Malpighian layer
• ozone layer
• palisade layer
• sporadic E layer
• thin-layer chromatography

Rhymes for layer

• gayer
• grayer
• greyer
• mayor
• nayar
• payer
• payor
• peyer
• player
• preyer
• sayer
• slayer

Kids Definition

layer

1 of 2 noun

lay·​er ˈlā-ər 

ˈle(-ə)r

1

: one that lays

their hens were poor layers

2

: one thickness or fold over or under another

a layer or rock

layered

ˈlā-ərd 

ˈle(-ə)rd

adjective

layer

2 of 2 verb

1

: to separate into layers

2

: to form by adding layers

Medical Definition

layer

noun

lay·​er ˈlā-ər, ˈle(-ə)r 

1

: one thickness, course, or fold laid or lying over or under another

2

: stratum sense 1

the outer layers of the skin

layer verb