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 of layout

Noun

• format
• formation
• arrangement
• design

Verb

• spend
• pay
• give

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

Look for stairs without secure handrails, slippery bath surfaces, high tub walls and layouts that require awkward stepping or turning. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Look for stairs without secure handrails, slippery surfaces, high tub walls and layouts that require awkward stepping or turning. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026

Verb

The parties involved in the litigation—as well as Red Lobster itself, which is not being sued—declined to comment for this article, but their court filings lay out the sad saga in dramatic detail. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Unedited excerpts from the surveys, in which candidates lay out detailed goals and policy analysis, can be found at the links below. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

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

Video

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

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