lay down

verb

Definition of lay downnext
1
as in to enact
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals

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2
as in to declare
to state clearly and strongly at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments

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3
as in to specify
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment

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4
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress commanded the surrounded troops to lay down their weapons

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lay down Each surgery disrupts blood supply to the skin and lays down a new layer of scar tissue, meaning the risks compound with every procedure. — Victoria Oliva, Allure, 23 June 2026 The new method dramatically reduced the setup process, giving them more time to remove the fire pit, lay down the foundation and assemble the pool. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026 For extra flair, grab a floral wreath for a pop of color, or lay down this area rug for a cozy vibe. — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 20 June 2026 To celebrate, Gazza lay down on the grass and opened his mouth wide, imitating the dentist’s chair that had got him and his team-mates into so much bother a few weeks earlier. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
  1. enact
  2. declare
  3. specify
  4. relinquish
  5. pass
  6. assert
  7. define
  8. render
Verb
  • Florida’s Second Chance Act was enacted after years of collaboration among physicians, families affected by sudden cardiac arrest, legislators, athletic leaders, and advocacy organizations.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026
  • New Jersey enacted its assault weapons law in 1990 following a mass shooting at a California elementary school.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2026
Definition of enact
Verb
  • For now, the stars of the series see Louis and Lestat’s reunion as definitive, a culmination of all the tumult required to get to a place where Louis can declare his love and Lestat can accept it.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • Burnham’s comments drew a backlash from Jewish groups, but he's also been criticized by pro-Palestinian groups for not declaring Israel's bombardment of Gaza a genocide.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
Definition of declare
Verb
  • Swinehart’s lawsuit seeks punitive and compensatory damages, although no amount is specified.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Smith did not specify the type of cancer but said that the illness had spread and that Whimsy needed chemotherapy.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of specify
Verb
  • Going down the cap-room road, however, would require Atlanta to relinquish Dort, CJ McCollum and Jock Landale after the season.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • In 2021, the unnamed collector who bought them voluntarily relinquished for repatriation nearly three dozen Cambodian and Southeast Asian antiquities purchased from Latchford between 2003 and 2007.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Definition of relinquish
Verb
  • Saudi Arabia briefly issued warnings in two locations before lifting them several minutes later, saying the danger had passed.
    — Monica Haider, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Below, find a full list of the potential milestones that The Odyssey’s box office could pass.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of pass
Verb
  • Alternatively, FanDuel could assert the video doesn’t establish a false endorsement or misappropriation.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026
  • In a Fox News op-ed published Monday, the hard-line conservative asserted that the upper chamber takes too many recesses and has too short of a workweek.
    — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 13 July 2026
Definition of assert
Verb
  • The article posits these are the first public votes in a critical referendum, urging everyone to consciously define AI's boundaries in their work and personal lives.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Rather than building every lavish living room and sweeping residence on a soundstage, productions often turn to real-life properties that help define their characters and set the tone.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 July 2026
Definition of define
Verb
  • Even for those in the financial ‘elite’ that Newcastle hope to join soon, vast transfer spending has rendered sales increasingly integral.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • New state-level AI laws face significant enforcement challenges, rendering many ineffective.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of render

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lay by
lay down
layer
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Cite this Entry

“Lay down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20down. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of lay down for Spanish Speakers

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