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
Daniel R. Quiles, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Especially for Deaf audiences for whom ASL is their first language, overlaid interpretation remains rare but can offer more nuance in context, emotion, and tone, address language deprivation, increase comprehension, and reduce cognitive overload and lags in information delivery.
—Abbey White, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
Annual street maintenance and overlay – These projects resurfaced roads in the southwest corner of Poway.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlay
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Verb
This footage is overlaid with rapidly shifting colors via video synthesizer, obscuring our view, and an iris that periodically frames the runner.
—Daniel R. Quiles, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Especially for Deaf audiences for whom ASL is their first language, overlaid interpretation remains rare but can offer more nuance in context, emotion, and tone, address language deprivation, increase comprehension, and reduce cognitive overload and lags in information delivery.
—Abbey White, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
Des Phemmes stacked waistbands and belts on bottoms and Blumarine added an overlay of chain jewelry to its low-rise jeans.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
Annual street maintenance and overlay – These projects resurfaced roads in the southwest corner of Poway.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 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 12 Mar. 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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