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
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 26 June 2025
With multiple frequency bands, researchers can overlay data in different colors to reveal more detailed structures around a black hole.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 19 June 2025
Jay Steiger, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Most notably, the Air Jordan 3 RM’s silhouette dons a lower cut than the traditional Air Jordan 3 and also lacks the signature elephant print overlays of the original design.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlay
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Verb
The racing sequences are good, sometimes even great, with footage shot during actual Grands Prix and overlaid with chatter from coverage commentators to explain the strategies and positions of the Apex drivers during each of their nine remaining races.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 26 June 2025
With multiple frequency bands, researchers can overlay data in different colors to reveal more detailed structures around a black hole.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 19 June 2025
Noun
Students’ educational experiences are cheapened and diminished by placing a partisan political overlay on schools and classrooms.
—Jay Steiger, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Most notably, the Air Jordan 3 RM’s silhouette dons a lower cut than the traditional Air Jordan 3 and also lacks the signature elephant print overlays of the original design.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 7 June 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 10 Jul. 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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