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

The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. —Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025

Cat-like Predator (29 million years ago): A set of pawprints discovered in a volcanic ash layer could belong to a nimravid, a saber-toothed and bobcat-sized carnivorous predator, such as the Hoplophoneus. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

Verb

Here, the arguments were fierce, layered with subtexts and overtones more audible then than now. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

Plus, it can easily be layered under a blazer or sweater for chilly spring days, or worn solo once summer rolls around. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1832, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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