layout

1 of 2

noun

lay·​out ˈlā-ˌau̇t 

1

: the plan or design or arrangement of something laid out: such as

a

: dummy sense 5b

b

: final arrangement of matter to be reproduced especially by printing

2

: the act or process of planning or laying out in detail

3

a

: something that is laid out

a model train layout

b

: land or structures or rooms used for a particular purpose

a cattle-ranching layout

also : place

c

: a set or outfit especially of tools

lay out

2 of 2

verb

laid out; laying out; lays out

transitive verb

1

: display, exhibit

2

: spend

3

a

: to prepare (a corpse) for viewing

b

: to knock flat or unconscious

4

: to plan in detail

lay out a campaign

5

: arrange, design

6

: to mark (work) for drilling, machining, or filing

Synonyms

Noun

• arrangement
• configuration
• conformation
• format
• formation
• setout
• setup

Verb

• disburse
• drop
• expend
• fork (over, out, or up)
• give
• outlay
• pay
• shell out
• spend

Examples of layout in a Sentence

Noun

The layout of the apartment was good, but the kitchen was too small.

She designed the page layout for the new magazine.

Verb

he laid out big bucks for a new lawnmower that runs by itself

the transatlantic balloonists laid out a backup plan in case of an emergency

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The reveal was accompanied by a video showing the facility's layout and weaponry. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025

There is also a choice of plates to alter the keyboard’s layout with up to 16 options and 5 accessories to give each keyboard a more individual finish. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Verb

The budget lays out Trump’s priorities rather than setting spending figures in stone for the year starting Oct. 1. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 May 2025

Playing a robot with abandonment issues, Shen laid out her heart at the Belasco Theatre. —Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for layout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

layout

1 of 2 noun

lay·​out ˈlā-ˌau̇t 

1

: plan entry 1 sense 1, arrangement

2

: something laid out

3

: a set or outfit especially of tools

lay out

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)lā-ˈau̇t

1

: plan entry 2 sense 1

lay out a campaign

2

: to arrange for display or for working on

lay out an exhibit

3

: spend sense 1