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

Inspired by the classic flavors of the eastern Mediterranean — lemon, parsley, chickpeas, feta and olives — these jars layer the ingredients in a beautiful rainbow for a portable lunch or quick picnic dinner that stays fresh for days. —Laura McLively, Mercury News, 25 May 2026

The track-bearing layers belong to the Tuchengzi Formation and are dated between about 154 and 134 million years old. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026

Verb

Living Room Luxury hotels always nail the little details, and coffee table books are one of the easiest ways to recreate that layered, curated feel at home. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2026

The palate leans into the classic high-rye Kentucky profile, with orange oil, maple syrup, and cherry compote layered over caramel, almond, and charred oak. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1831, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

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