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
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
Google pitched the model as one that can solve complex science and math problems, and address nagging issues — such as generating images and overlaid text with incorrect spelling — that might deter enterprise customers from adopting AI services more widely.
—Mark Bergen, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2025
Each look favored a single focal technique — subtle lingerie detailing, lace overlay, sheer movement — but all kept to a palette of satin, soft tailoring and directional lines.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlay
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Verb
Surgeons operated from a cockpit in the operating room, using an input device that provided real-time augmentation, overlays, and tactile paddles while viewing a 3D monitor fed by multimodal imaging.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
Google pitched the model as one that can solve complex science and math problems, and address nagging issues — such as generating images and overlaid text with incorrect spelling — that might deter enterprise customers from adopting AI services more widely.
—Mark Bergen, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
Noun
Favorites include the Disney Festival of Holidays, a multi-cultural food festival, and special attraction overlays, including the festive transformation of it’s a small world.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2025
Each look favored a single focal technique — subtle lingerie detailing, lace overlay, sheer movement — but all kept to a palette of satin, soft tailoring and directional lines.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlay
Cite this Entry
“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlay. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
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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