layover

1 of 3

noun

lay·​over ˈlā-ˌō-vər 

: stopover

lay over

2 of 3

verb

laid over; laying over; lays over

transitive verb

: postpone

intransitive verb

: to make a stopover

lay over

3 of 3

past tense of lie over

Synonyms of layover

Noun

• stop
• stopover

Verb

• postpone
• delay
• put over
• defer

Examples of layover in a Sentence

Noun

our flight from New York to San Francisco made a layover in Chicago

Verb

we'll have to lay over a discussion of the issue until the next meeting

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If no direct flight is available, Josefsson suggests booking flights with longer layovers. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Hours lost to layovers and airline schedules that don't align with business priorities. — Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

Back in May 2024, the couple made a small splash on the red carpet with Cowan in an ivory suit and Smith in a black one with a sheer suggestion of skirt laying over the pants. — Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

This approach involves growing mostly native plants in a bordered section of gravel that is laid over your landscape's natural soil. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1873, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1838, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for layover

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover
• pullover

Video

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

Kids Definition

layover

1 of 2 noun

lay·​over ˈlā-ˌō-vər 

: stopover sense 1

lay over

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)lā-ˈō-vər

: to make a temporary halt or stop