lay reader
noun
1
: a layperson authorized to conduct parts of the church services not requiring a priest or minister
2
Examples of lay reader in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An Accessible Writer Professor Kahneman propagated his findings with an appealing writing style, using illustrative vignettes with which even lay readers could engage.
—
Robert D. Hershey Jr., New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Graeber had mastered the art of pulling new research out of his home field and contextualizing it for the lay reader.
—Sam Dean, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2023
Willingham has the gift, not always common among academics and scholars, of speaking clearly and plainly to the lay reader.
—Peter Greene, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2022
In this elegant volume, equally valuable to specialists and lay readers, two lifelong scholars of First Amendment jurisprudence gather an array of experts to explore the problems presented by digital technology and their possible solutions.
—Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2022
Her portrayals provide the lay reader with an anthropomorphic compass by which to better navigate the biology.
—Eugenia Bone, WSJ, 7 May 2021
Troy’s portrait of White House rivalries is essential reading for political junkies and lay readers alike.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2020
To a lay reader, Olson’s story hovers between narcissism and fabulism by way of some crass stereotyping.
—Alex Perry, Outside Online, 24 July 2019
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.
Robert D. Hershey Jr., New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Graeber had mastered the art of pulling new research out of his home field and contextualizing it for the lay reader.
—Sam Dean, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2023
Willingham has the gift, not always common among academics and scholars, of speaking clearly and plainly to the lay reader.
—Peter Greene, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2022
In this elegant volume, equally valuable to specialists and lay readers, two lifelong scholars of First Amendment jurisprudence gather an array of experts to explore the problems presented by digital technology and their possible solutions.
—Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2022
Her portrayals provide the lay reader with an anthropomorphic compass by which to better navigate the biology.
—Eugenia Bone, WSJ, 7 May 2021
Troy’s portrait of White House rivalries is essential reading for political junkies and lay readers alike.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2020
To a lay reader, Olson’s story hovers between narcissism and fabulism by way of some crass stereotyping.
—Alex Perry, Outside Online, 24 July 2019
Cite this Entry
“Lay reader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay%20reader. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share