layperson

noun

lay·​per·​son ˈlā-ˌpər-sᵊn How to pronounce layperson (audio)
plural laypeople ˈlā-ˌpē-pəl How to pronounce layperson (audio) also laypersons
1
: a member of the laity (see laity sense 1)
It [the Vatican] permitted groups of laypeople to apply to their local bishop and, after affirming loyalty to Vatican II, receive an indult allowing limited celebration of the 1962 missal.Peter Jeffrey
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha will award the Marian Medal to 79 laypersons from parishes throughout the Fall River Diocese …Mansfield (Massachusetts) News
2
: a person who does not belong to a particular profession or who is not expert or versed in some field
Intended for the layperson, this book uses straightforward language to aid in identifying more than 500 medicinal plants.Mark Blumenthal
Technically, it's called "Ultimate," but most laypeople need the "Frisbee" attached to make an association.Joe Miller

Examples of layperson in a Sentence

a meeting between clergy and laypeople
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Why OpenAI wants massive computing power The kind of numbers OpenAI and friends throw around—10 gigawatts here, $500 billion there—are somewhat staggering and mind-boggling in scope for the layperson who might not be familiar with the massive scale of Internet infrastructure. ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025 By now, even the layperson understands that artificial intelligence data is a garbage-in-garbage-out conundrum. Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025 In layperson’s terms, a will is a legal document that dictates where your assets will be distributed upon your death. Ronny Maye, Essence, 5 Aug. 2025 Similarly, no layperson will need to understand how standards like HSML, HSTP, or UDG work. Gabriel René, IEEE Spectrum, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for layperson

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of layperson was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Layperson.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/layperson. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

layperson

noun
lay·​per·​son ˈlā-ˌpərs-ᵊn How to pronounce layperson (audio)
: a member of the laity

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