lay down

1 to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action <the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals> Synonyms constitute, enact, legislate, make, ordain, passRelated Words reenact, repass; bring about, effect; allow, authorize, permit, sanction; decree, dictate, proclaim; administer, execute; approve, confirm, ratifyNear Antonyms abolish, abrogate, annul, cancel, invalidate, kill, nullify; overturn, reverse, voidAntonyms repeal, rescind, revoke

2 to state clearly and strongly <at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments> Synonyms affirm, aver, avouch, avow, declare, guarantee, assert, professRelated Words advance, advertise, boost, plug, promote, publicize; announce, blaze, call, proclaim, pronounce, say; accent, accentuate, emphasize, stress, underline, underscore; advocate, champion, defend, espouse, support, uphold; assure, convince, persuade; explain, justify, rationalize; reaffirm, reassertNear Antonyms minimize, understate; disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

3 to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly <the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment> Synonyms define, prescribe, specifyRelated Words decree, dictate, ordain; assign, direct, fix, set, settle; arrange, order; choose, select; adjure, bid, charge, command, enjoin, instruct, tell; conduct, control, govern, lead, manage; coerce, compel, constrain, force; obligate, oblige, require

4 to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress <commanded the surrounded troops to lay down their weapons> Synonyms cede, cough up, deliver, give up, hand over, surrender, relinquish, render, turn in, turn over, yieldRelated Words commit, consign, entrust (also intrust), transfer; forfeit, release, waive; abnegate, renounce, resign; abandon, desert, discard, forsake, part (with), shedNear Antonyms keep, retain, withhold