overlay

verb

over·lay | \ ˌō-vər-ˈlā

overlaid\ ˌō-vər-ˈlād

\; overlaying

Definition of overlay

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to lay or spread over or across : superimpose

b : to prepare an overlay for

2 : overlie sense 2

overlay

noun

over·lay | \ ˈō-vər-ˌlā

Definition of overlay (Entry 2 of 2)

: a covering either permanent or temporary: such as

a : an ornamental veneer

b : a decorative and contrasting design or article placed on top of a plain one

c : a transparent sheet containing graphic matter to be superimposed on another sheet

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about overlay

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Examples of overlay in a Sentence

Verb

you should apply a coat of primer first, and then overlay it with two coats of paint cedar shingles overlaying one another on the roof

Noun

a silver ring with gold overlay The wooden table has a marble overlay.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Those YouTube videos are overlaid on a satellite map. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "The Drones of Tomorrow Have a Data Problem," 11 May 2017 Objects being tracked are highlighted by a target box overlaid on the screen. — Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, "With Saab's Remote Towers, Air Traffic Controllers Could Work From Anywhere," 23 Mar. 2016 That means they can be overlaid on games or other content, just as is already done with webcam input. — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, "Microsoft killing off the old Skype client, adding built-in call recording," 16 July 2018 These are fed by the wide-angle cameras that show you what's on either side, overlaying blind spot warnings when necessary. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "We’ve driven Audi’s first proper electric car, the 2019 e-tron SUV," 7 Dec. 2018 All that has to be combined and overlaid with our internal financial information, to get a picture of what’s going on. — Angus Loten, WSJ, "Brown-Forman CIO Looks to Data for Smarter Booze," 14 Feb. 2019 However, a different version of the couple's joint cipher appeared on their wedding cake in 2011, where the C and W were overlaid. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "How Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Monogram Compares to Kate Middleton and Prince William's," 31 July 2018 For messaging, Google is adding a new feature that will preview a snippet of a new text overlaid over an existing app like the music playback or Google Maps apps, but only when the car has come to a complete stop. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "Android Auto update makes playing music and messaging easier and less distracting," 29 Nov. 2018 The geospatial data is overlaid with administrative information—district boundaries and the like—to give a picture of what's really going on. — Dan Rosenbaum, Ars Technica, "All hail the AI overlord: Smart cities and the AI Internet of Things," 7 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Olivia Colman was just spotted on the Oscars red carpet wearing a striking green gown with a sheer overlay. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Olivia Colman Just Arrived on the Oscars Red Carpet in a Bold Green Dress," 25 Feb. 2019 The dress featured a tulle skirt overlay, black patent waist belt, and pockets(!!!). — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Attend the Oscars Party Where They First Met," 25 Feb. 2019 To many, the jokes feel almost perfunctory now, and the overlay of references between the Trumps’ real-life actions and the stuff of horror films feels less ironic and more like a form of obligatory commentary. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Melania Trump’s White House Christmas decorations have become a horror meme yet again," 27 Nov. 2018 For his appearance, Ali donned Dzojchen’s single-breasted suit in black silk with chevron print overlay and a matching button-up underneath. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "The Wrap Suit? It’s a Thing—And Mahershala Ali Has It Down," 11 Jan. 2019 The plan commission expects to review Devorkin's application for rezoning and planned development overlay in July. — Jeff Rumage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Condos proposed at former church property in Thiensville," 23 May 2018 The Monique Lhuillier flagship store on the Upper East Side was a lifesaver, allowing her to put in a rush order on the Kate dress, made of French Chantilly lace with floral appliqué overlay and a classic fitted corset. — Ryan Ray, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Bride Found Her Gown One Month Before Her Absolutely Stunning Vineyard Wedding," 2 Apr. 2019 The overlay panel lent dimension to the streamlined shape, while the body-skimming silhouette beneath was flatteringly elongating. — Edward Barsamian, Vogue, "Amal Clooney Takes a Page from Meghan Markle’s Royal Wardrobe Playbook," 28 Sep. 2018 The company depends on very little advertising but mostly paid subscriptions, claiming hundreds of thousands of hardcore hikers who pay $30 a year to gain access to things like overlays of upcoming weather and ways to share a route with friends. — Theodore Schleifer, Recode, "Investors are betting $75 million on AllTrails and its content for hikers," 11 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overlay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.