overlie

verb

over·​lie ˌō-vər-ˈlī 

overlay ˌō-vər-ˈlā  ; overlain ˌō-vər-ˈlān  ; overlying ˌō-vər-ˈlī-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to lie over or upon

2

: to cause the death of by lying upon

Synonyms

• lap
• overlap
• overlay
• overspread

Examples of overlie in a Sentence

the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor

there will be freezing rain tonight, so we can expect to find a thick layer of ice overlying the car windshield in the morning

Recent Examples on the Web

This finding indicates that the ecosystem was no longer being sustained by the nutrients from the hydrothermal system being released into the overlying ocean. —David Bressan, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Mantle plumes are convectional upwellings of hot material from the deep mantle that can cause localized melting and deformations to the overlying crust. —New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025

Much of the Floridan Aquifer is shielded significantly from downward migration of pollution by overlying layers of dense, impermeable clay. —Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025

Planetary scientists count craters, for instance, the logic being that older features will be covered in more craters than younger features will, while younger features will overlie or cut across more pre-existing craters than older features do. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overlie

• overly

Kids Definition

overlie

verb

over·​lie -ˈlī 

overlay -ˈlā  ; overlain -ˈlān  ; overlying -ˈlī-iŋ 

: to lie over or upon

Medical Definition

overlie

transitive verb

over·​lie ˌō-vər-ˈlī 

overlay -ˈlā  ; overlain -ˈlān  ; overlying -ˈlī-iŋ 

: to cause the death of by lying upon