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
Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
For that, organizers turn to the same technology used when Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya broke the two-hour-marathon barrier in 2019, overlaying data onto potential routes to find the optimal one.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Check out this overlay by Democratic consulting firm MDW Communications to see how the maps overlap.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlay
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Verb
The gold ring is composed of a mixed-cut octagonal sapphire which is overlaid with four rectangular-cut and one square-cut rubies.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
For that, organizers turn to the same technology used when Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya broke the two-hour-marathon barrier in 2019, overlaying data onto potential routes to find the optimal one.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
Hilary Duff, a Time 100 honoree, looks radiant in a tan slip dress with a sheer overlay at the 2026 Time100 Gala on April 23 in New York City.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Check out this overlay by Democratic consulting firm MDW Communications to see how the maps overlap.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 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 Apr. 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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