lay down

1 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 Synonyms constitute, enact, legislate, make, ordain, passRelated Words reenact, repass; bring about, effect; allow, authorize, permit, sanction; decree, dictate, proclaim; administer, execute; approve, confirm, ratifyNear Antonyms abolish, abrogate, annul, cancel, invalidate, kill, nullify; overturn, reverse, voidAntonyms repeal, rescind, revoke

2 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 Synonyms affirm, aver, avouch, avow, declare, guarantee, assert, professRelated Words advance, advertise, boost, plug, promote, publicize; announce, blaze, call, proclaim, pronounce, say; accent, accentuate, emphasize, stress, underline, underscore; advocate, champion, defend, espouse, support, uphold; assure, convince, persuade; explain, justify, rationalize; reaffirm, reassertNear Antonyms minimize, understate; disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

3 to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment Synonyms define, prescribe, specifyRelated Words decree, dictate, ordain; assign, direct, fix, set, settle; arrange, order; choose, select; adjure, bid, charge, command, enjoin, instruct, tell; conduct, control, govern, lead, manage; coerce, compel, constrain, force; obligate, oblige, require

4 to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress commanded the surrounded troops to lay down their weapons Synonyms cede, cough up, deliver, give up, hand over, surrender, relinquish, render, turn in, turn over, yieldRelated Words commit, consign, entrust (also intrust), transfer; forfeit, release, waive; abnegate, renounce, resign; abandon, desert, discard, forsake, part (with), shedNear Antonyms keep, retain, withhold