layer

noun lay·er \ ˈlā-ər , ˈler \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of layer

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 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

play \ˈlā-ərd, ˈlerd\ adjective

See layer defined for English-language learners

See layer defined for kids

Examples of layer in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of layer from the Web

An extra layer of protection is afforded by the European People’s Party, the centre-right pan-EU political group of which Fidesz remains a member in good standing.

— The Economist, "The EU is tolerating—and enabling—authoritarian kleptocracy in Hungary," 5 Apr. 2018
Adding an additional layer is the potential for malicious interference of these implants by criminals.

— laura y. cabrera, Scientific American, "It’s Not My Fault, My Brain Implant Made Me Do It," 3 Apr. 2018
Cemetery workers and family members lowered coffins three-deep into trenches lined with gray cinderblocks and brown bricks, covering each coffin with concrete like a layer cake.

— ana vanessa herrero, New York Times, "Anguished Mourners Beg for Answers After Jail Fire in Venezuela," 30 Mar. 2018
Adding an extra layer of lighting made the room come alive.

— sophie donelson, House Beautiful, "This New York City Home Celebrates Family Living," 27 Mar. 2018
And the Commerce Department has decided to add an additional layer to the upcoming 2020 Census, reinstating a question about respondents’ citizenship.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "A Citizenship Question Is Back on the 2020 Census—And California Vows to Sue the Trump Administration Over It," 27 Mar. 2018
These subplots, despite sometimes risking being cumbersome and distracting, broaden the story’s scope, and add more layers to the main characters.

— fan wu, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘Bury What We Cannot Take,’ by Kirstin Chen," 21 Mar. 2018
Banking apps and other apps that store sensitive data can call up this API and require a fingerprint scan, requiring an extra layer of protection.

— ron amadeo, Ars Technica, "Galaxy S9+ review—Faster specs, better biometrics in a familiar package," 15 Mar. 2018
If you're still hung over from Brewers' opening day two days later on Wednesday, April 4, a piece of chocolate layer cake paired with a jumbo hot dog might set you right.

— lainey seyler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Do you like chocolate cake? Portillos has got you. On April 4, chocolate cake is 55 cents.," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'layer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of layer

13th century

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

layer

verb

Definition of layer

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

See layer defined for English-language learners

Examples of layer in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of layer from the Web

Attention to detail and design extends to the 86 rooms and suites (most of them sea-facing), all richly layered in pattern, texture, and color.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "The Oyster Box," 20 Oct. 2017
The idea behind these ultra-shiny, sheer glosses is to layer them on top of an already beloved lipstick to change the color.

— alison smith, Philly.com, "Just how wearable are the fall beauty trends?," 11 Oct. 2017
Grill slices and layer them in a Caprese salad or add them to a pita pocket with hummus and veggies.

— susan russo, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Fresh takes on eggplant," 2 Oct. 2017
Years of pre-release interviews and footage trying to describe the game layered it with sky-high expectations—some reasonable, some not—among the community at large.

— kyle orland, Ars Technica, "Overwatch director says it’s “scary” to be open with players," 2 Oct. 2017
The night began, for example, with three newer songs that moved the folk-rock sound of previous Fleet Foxes releases into the entirely new territory of prog rock, but still layered with Pecknold’s plaintive singing.

— charles r. cross, The Seattle Times, "Seattle’s prodigal band returns; Fleet Foxes puts on stellar show," 15 Sep. 2017
This is followed by Eleven Madison Park's fanciful eggs Benedict, which layers pork and bacon, silky asparagus bavarois and asparagus gelee, topped with caviar and hollandaise, and presented inside caviar tins bearing the EMP logo.

— phil vettel, chicagotribune.com, "Next review: What other restaurant could pull off re-creating dishes from world's best?," 15 Sep. 2017
Since the show debuted on October 2, Reddit threads and fan sites have dug through every frame of all 10 episodes to find each clue woven into the show's multi-layered narrative.

— matt miller, Esquire, "The Westworld Co-Creator Saved the Twist You Might Have Missed For Season Two," 6 Dec. 2016
Each rectangular piece features thousands of blue-and-gold Macaw feathers layered in a simple, abstract design that's drawn comparisons to something by Mark Rothko or Paul Klee.

— jen derose, House Beautiful, "Impressive, Iridescent Plumage at the Metropolitan Museum of Art," 1 Sep. 2013

First Known Use of layer

1832

LAYER Defined for English Language Learners

layer

noun

Definition of layer for English Language Learners

: an amount of something that is spread over an area
: a covering piece of material or a part that lies over or under another
: a bird that lays eggs

layer

verb

Definition of layer for English Language Learners

: to form or arrange parts or pieces of something on top of each other : to form or arrange (something) in layers

LAYER Defined for Kids

layer

noun lay·er \ ˈlā-ər \

Definition of layer for Students

1 : one thickness of something laid over another

a layer of rock

2 : a person who lays something

3 : a bird that lays eggs

layer

verb

Definition of layer for Students

layered; layering

: to form or arrange one thickness of something over another We layered the fruit with whipped cream.

Medical Dictionary

layer

noun lay·er \ ˈlā-ər, ˈle(-ə)r \

medical Definition of layer

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

2 : stratum 1

the outer layers of the skin

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layer

verb

Learn More about layer

See words that rhyme with layer Spanish Central: Translation of layer Nglish: Translation of layer for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of layer for Arabic speakers

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layer

Definition of layer

layered

Examples of layer in a Sentence

Recent Examples of layer from the Web

First Known Use of layer

Other Geology Terms

layer

Definition of layer

Examples of layer in a Sentence

Recent Examples of layer from the Web

First Known Use of layer

Phrases Related to LAYER

Related Phrases

LAYER Defined for English Language Learners

layer

Definition of layer for English Language Learners

layer

Definition of layer for English Language Learners

LAYER Defined for Kids

layer

Definition of layer for Students

layer

Definition of layer for Students

Medical Dictionary

layer

medical Definition of layer

layer

Learn More about layer

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