layer

noun lay·er \ ˈlā-ər , ˈler \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: layer in a Sentence

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

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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

But Shepherd loves living in Indiana, and thinks nothing of practicing in the snow, wearing layers of clothing and a ski mask.

— clifton brown, Indianapolis Star, "Center Grove's Erica Shepherd looking for repeat junior title, LPGA future," 14 July 2018
The printed part is heated in a process called sintering that solidifies the metal powder while dissolving layers of removable material.

— hiawatha bray, BostonGlobe.com, "3D printing companies clash in federal court," 13 July 2018
Through the intertwined lives of the extended Zhen family and staff, Tan deftly explores evolving immigrant identity, layers of ex-pat privilege, tenacious gender disparity, family expectations and obligations.

— terry hong, The Christian Science Monitor, "'What We Were Promised' depicts post-Mao China in a deft debut novel set in Shanghai," 13 July 2018
The gaze captured by the Deborah Oropallo painting, which layers contemporary images over classical ones, might strike kids as that of a watchful nanny but seem more coy to adult eyes.

— tim gavan, WSJ, "Five Stairways Go From Dull to Dramatic," 13 July 2018
Very few artists have the skill to handle Mozart in dance: However dance-friendly his music may sound, there are always more layers to it.

— alastair macaulay, New York Times, "Review: At BalletX, a New Work Alive With Suspense and Surrealism," 13 July 2018
And be sure to make some Burek, layers of dough filled with cheese.

— sean gregory, Time, "32 Teams Entered, 2 Remain. Your Ultimate Guide to the World Cup Final," 13 July 2018
But there are so many layers of security, generally the people don’t get very far.

— kelly yamanouchi, ajc, "Fence jumpers highlight security vulnerability at Hartsfield-Jackson," 12 July 2018
And the first few minutes of Jill Oliver's vulgar, trashy, childish romp reveal unexpected layers of additional idiocy.

— justin hayford, Chicago Reader, "Adventures of Spirit Force Five," 12 July 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Other Geology Terms

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

layer

verb

Definition of layer

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

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

Ripe, yellow tomatoes brought a farm-market touch to a flaky pastry crust layered with creamy sheep’s milk ricotta, arugula pesto, and a sweet-tart balsamic drizzle.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "The Bercy adds French brasserie sheen to thriving Ardmore scene," 13 July 2018
The other appearance of eggplant in my childhood was eggplant Parmesan, which tended to be a leaden affair of heavily breaded eggplant layered with copious amounts of mozzarella and overly cooked tomato sauce.

— evan kleiman, latimes.com, "Cucina Italiana: The joy of eggplant. Try making a timbale," 5 July 2018
The base for both was a platter layered with overlapping slices of yellow and red tomatoes for visual punch.

— emily spicer, San Antonio Express-News, "The most summery of salads: Tomatoes 2 ways," 4 July 2018
Po’ boy sandwiches from New Orleans, most famously filled with fried oysters, are built on French bread and layered with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mayonnaise.

— sally pasley vargas, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipe: Crispy soft-shell crabs and chipotle mayo fill these po’ boy sandwiches," 18 June 2018
Repeat layering with remaining oatmeal, yogurt, and strawberries.

— lisa lillien, PEOPLE.com, "Hungry Girl: Upgrade Your Breakfast with This Protein-Packed Recipe," 28 May 2018
Her Catholic ninja origin story Like a lot of comic book characters who debuted in the ‘90s, Domino is a perfect mix of a simple, high concept layered with a ludicrously complicated backstory.

— chris sims, The Verge, "Domino deserves a spinoff film, and there are amazing comic stories to mine," 24 May 2018
All of the lipsticks come in the classic Amuse Bouche formula with a citrus flavor layered with notes of cherry, mint, mango, and vanilla.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "Bite Beauty’s New Lipstick Collection Is Spicy," 10 May 2018
Notice, too, how the beat is uptempo, sporadically layered with African rhythms and church hymns.

— jason parham, WIRED, "Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' and the New Shape of Protest Music," 9 May 2018

First Known Use of layer

1832

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

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