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
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 9 Dec. 2025
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
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
And eateries across the resort serve seasonal specialties, including Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar, which gets a whole holiday overlay.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlay
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Verb
Also new to the sail iteration are pony hair overlays at the toe and heel tab and a gum rubber outsole.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 9 Dec. 2025
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
Noun
The silk-crepe and chiffon dress features a gauzy pink, iridescent overlay and fuschia lining with a halterneck style top fastened with candy pink feathers, and more feathers encircling the hips.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
And eateries across the resort serve seasonal specialties, including Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar, which gets a whole holiday overlay.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 16 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 21 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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