1
: one that lays something (such as a worker who lays brick or a hen that lays eggs)
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; layering; layers
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
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
Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 21 Apr. 2024
Keep In Mind This toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate, which can affect the protective mucous layer in your mouth.
—Isabella Ubaldi, Verywell Health, 19 Apr. 2024
Stephanie Burt, a Harvard professor who teaches a class on Swift, explained the layers of the lyric.
—USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
Each subsequent version has added another layer, transparent enough to still show the original but sturdy enough to stand on its own.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2024
Make sure to add multifactor authentication, which adds a second layer of verification by requiring a code sent by text message or email, or inserting a USB authenticator key into your device.
—Kelvin Chan, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
Having multiple drummers definitely added layers of intensity to the proceedings.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024
To Enrich the Soil Ground covers offer a protective layer over the topsoil, preventing it from drying out too much during warmer temperatures and retaining moisture throughout the winter.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
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 Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Editor's Tip: Its lightweight, gel-like consistency feels cooling on skin and doesn't lead to product pilling, even when layered with a rich moisturizer.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 10 Apr. 2024
Sugar is then added to the top of the pastry sheet before layering it again.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
The versatile vest can be layered over long sleeves for chillier spring days or worn solo on the hot ones.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Fried Green Tomatoes: battered tomato slices layered with pimento cheese for dipping sauces.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
If your leather jacket is a moto style, try layering it over a pair of trousers or jeans with a plain white T-shirt.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 29 Mar. 2024
Prince layered a maroon button-down shirt and glittery tie under his blazer.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Hathaway truly smolders in a smoky bronze and brown eye with color layered all the way up to her perfectly arched dark brows and brushed out past her outer corners, courtesy makeup artist Gucci Westman, who frequently works with the star.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 25 Mar. 2024
Noun
Portillo focuses on the testimonies of the families of the victims to unravel the layers of complicity that allowed these murders to continue.
—Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 21 Apr. 2024
Keep In Mind This toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate, which can affect the protective mucous layer in your mouth.
—Isabella Ubaldi, Verywell Health, 19 Apr. 2024
Stephanie Burt, a Harvard professor who teaches a class on Swift, explained the layers of the lyric.
—USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
Each subsequent version has added another layer, transparent enough to still show the original but sturdy enough to stand on its own.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2024
Make sure to add multifactor authentication, which adds a second layer of verification by requiring a code sent by text message or email, or inserting a USB authenticator key into your device.
—Kelvin Chan, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
Having multiple drummers definitely added layers of intensity to the proceedings.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024
To Enrich the Soil Ground covers offer a protective layer over the topsoil, preventing it from drying out too much during warmer temperatures and retaining moisture throughout the winter.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
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 Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024
Verb
Mother's Day Cakes That Are Almost As Sweet As Mama
01 of 28
Chocolate Delight
This retro layered creation goes by many names.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Editor's Tip: Its lightweight, gel-like consistency feels cooling on skin and doesn't lead to product pilling, even when layered with a rich moisturizer.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 10 Apr. 2024
Sugar is then added to the top of the pastry sheet before layering it again.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
The versatile vest can be layered over long sleeves for chillier spring days or worn solo on the hot ones.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Fried Green Tomatoes: battered tomato slices layered with pimento cheese for dipping sauces.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
If your leather jacket is a moto style, try layering it over a pair of trousers or jeans with a plain white T-shirt.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 29 Mar. 2024
Prince layered a maroon button-down shirt and glittery tie under his blazer.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Hathaway truly smolders in a smoky bronze and brown eye with color layered all the way up to her perfectly arched dark brows and brushed out past her outer corners, courtesy makeup artist Gucci Westman, who frequently works with the star.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'layer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near layer
Cite this Entry
“Layer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/layer. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
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