over·lay
ˌō-vər-ˈlā 
overlaid
ˌō-vər-ˈlād
; overlaying
; overlaying
1
a
: to lay or spread over or across : superimpose
b
: to prepare an overlay for
2
over·lay
ˈō-vər-ˌlā
: 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
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
Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
Trying to tap the ice sheet, which covers 80 percent of Greenland, for minerals is unappealing, given that all the necessary supplies would need to be brought inland by helicopter and there are kilometers of ice overlaying parts of the rock.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
Maggie Slepian, Outside, 26 Jan. 2026
Make no major decisions or moves during this period unless individual cycles and powerful Universal days overlay perfectly.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlay
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Verb
Almost like a strata, this satisfying casserole features dense multigrain bread on the bottom, overlaid with chicken, aromatic vegetables, Parmesan cheese, and cream sauce.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
Trying to tap the ice sheet, which covers 80 percent of Greenland, for minerals is unappealing, given that all the necessary supplies would need to be brought inland by helicopter and there are kilometers of ice overlaying parts of the rock.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
Fewer overlays and cosmetic additions enable Nortiv 8 to reduce costs without compromising performance, Neil explained.
—Maggie Slepian, Outside, 26 Jan. 2026
Make no major decisions or moves during this period unless individual cycles and powerful Universal days overlay perfectly.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlay
Cite this Entry
“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlay. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overlay
1 of 2 verb
over·lay
ˌō-vər-ˈlā
overlaid
-ˈlād
; overlaying
; overlaying
1
: to lay or spread over or across
2
: overlie
overlay
2 of 2 noun
over·lay
ˈō-vər-ˌlā
: something (as a veneer on wood) that is overlaid
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