as in to store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place
be sure to lay in enough food for the long Alaska winter
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay in
Part of her genius lay in the ability to discover meaning where no one else imagined it could be found.
—
Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
Colleyville Heritage dumps Argyle in 2 OTs Colleyville Heritage got a hugh lay in by Sameer Johnson at the fourth quarter buzzer, off an assist by Dmauri Evans, to tie the game at 48 allowing the Panthers to subdue Argyle 57-51 in double overtime on Thursday.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors said Morgan lay in wait in his Jeep at the corner of Wortman and Alabama Aves.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Another affinity between the Romanians and the Iraqis lay in the fact that both knew the difficulties of living under a dictatorship.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay in
Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
Colleyville Heritage dumps Argyle in 2 OTs Colleyville Heritage got a hugh lay in by Sameer Johnson at the fourth quarter buzzer, off an assist by Dmauri Evans, to tie the game at 48 allowing the Panthers to subdue Argyle 57-51 in double overtime on Thursday.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors said Morgan lay in wait in his Jeep at the corner of Wortman and Alabama Aves.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Another affinity between the Romanians and the Iraqis lay in the fact that both knew the difficulties of living under a dictatorship.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay in
Verb
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Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told reporters the depots were used to fuel Iran's war effort, including producing or storing propellant for ballistic missiles.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Although the data remains locally stored on each device, all participants in the network can validate the records, which ensures that the information cannot be secretly modified or erased.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The hoard was most likely stashed away during the bloody Russian Revolution—an era made famous by the Disney movie about Princess Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
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But with several non-roster invitees in camp who have opt outs and also can’t be easily stashed in the minors, Watson’s Rule 5 status might only give him so much leeway.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Females can lay up to four eggs before raising their chicks alone.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Marta Suárez (7) lays up a first half shot against the Houston Cougars during the first half at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, February 4, 2026.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20in. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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