lay
verb
leɪ 
leɪ leɪd leɪd put down/spread
1 [transitive] to put somebody/something in a particular position, especially when it is done gently or carefullylay somebody/something (+ adverb/preposition) She laid the baby down gently on the bed.He laid a hand on my arm.The horse laid back its ears.Relatives laid wreaths on the grave.lay somebody/something + adjective The cloth should be laid flat.Help
Some speakers confuse this sense of lay with lie, especially in the present and progressive tenses. However, lay has an object and lie does not: 2 [transitive] lay something (down) to put something down, especially on the floor, ready to be usedto lay a carpet/cable/pipeThe foundations of the house are being laid today. (figurative) They had laid the groundwork for future development.3 [transitive] to spread something on something; to cover something with a layer of somethinglay A (on/over B) Before they started they laid newspaper on the floor.The grapes were laid to dry on racks.lay B with A The floor was laid with newspaper.eggs
4 [transitive, intransitive] lay (something) if a bird, an insect, a fish, etc. lays eggs, it produces them from its bodyThe cuckoo lays its eggs in other birds' nests.new-laid eggsThe hens are not laying well (= not producing many eggs).table
5 [transitive] lay something (British English) to arrange knives, forks, plates, etc. on a table ready for a mealSynonym
setto lay the tablepresent proposal
6 [transitive] lay something + adverb/preposition to present a proposal, some information, etc. to somebody for them to think about and decide onThe bill was laid before Parliament.difficult situation
7 [transitive] lay something + adverb/preposition (formal) to put somebody/something in a particular position or state, especially a difficult or unpleasant oneSynonym
placeto lay a responsibility/burden on somebodyto lay somebody under an obligation to do somethingwith nouns
8 [transitive] lay something + adverb/preposition used with a noun to form a phrase that has the same meaning as the verb related to the nounto lay the blame on somebody (= to blame somebody)Our teacher lays great stress on good spelling (= stresses it strongly).plan/trap
9 [transitive] lay something to prepare something in detailto lay a trap for somebodyShe began to lay her plans for her escape.Bad weather can upset even the best-laid plans.have sex
10 [transitive, often passive] lay somebody (slang) to have sex with somebodyHe went out hoping to get laid that night.fire
11 [transitive] lay something to prepare a fire by arranging wood, sticks or coalbet
12 [transitive] to bet money on something; to place a betlay something to lay a betlay something on something She had laid $100 on the favourite.I think he'll come, but I wouldn't lay money on it.lay (somebody) something (that)… I'll lay you any money you like (that) he won't come.Help
This pattern is not used in the passive.Idioms
Idioms containing lay are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example lay something bare is at bare.
Phrasal verbs
lay about somebody (with something)
(British English) to attack somebody violentlyThe gang laid about him with sticks.lay about you/yourself (with something)
(British English) to hit somebody/something without control or move your arms or legs violently in all directionsShe laid about herself with her stick to keep the dogs off.lay something 
aside
(formal)1 to put something on one side and not use it or think about itSynonym
set asideHe laid aside his book and stood up. (figurative) Doctors have to lay their personal feelings aside.2 (also lay something by) to keep something to use, or deal with laterSynonym
put asideThey had laid money aside for their old age.lay something down
1 to put something down or stop using itSynonym
put downShe laid the book down on the table.Both sides were urged to lay down their arms (= stop fighting).2 (formal) to stop doing a job, etcto lay down your duties3 if you lay down a rule or a principle, you state officially that people must obey it or use itYou can't lay down hard and fast rules.it is laid down that… It is laid down that all candidates must submit three copies of their dissertation.4 [usually passive] to produce something that is stored and gradually increasesIf you eat too much, the surplus is laid down as fat.lay something in/up
to collect and store something to use in the futureto lay in food supplieslay into somebody/something
(informal) to attack somebody violently with blows or wordsHis parents really laid into him for wasting so much money.lay off
|lay off somebody/something
(informal) used to tell somebody to stop doing somethingLay off me will you—it's nothing to do with me.lay doing something Lay off bullying Jack.lay off something
(informal) to stop using somethingI think you'd better lay off fatty foods for a while.lay somebody off
to stop employing somebody because there is not enough work for them to do Synonym
make somebody redundant200 workers at the factory have been laid off. related noun lay-offlay something on
(British English, informal) to provide something for somebody, especially food or entertainmentto lay on food and drinkA bus has been laid on to take guests to the airport.lay something on somebody
(informal) to make somebody have to deal with something unpleasant or difficultStop laying a guilt trip on me (= making me feel guilty).lay somebody out
1 to knock somebody unconscious2 to prepare a dead body to be buriedlay something out
1 to spread something out so that it can be seen easily or is ready to useHe laid the map out on the table.+ adjective Lay the material out flat.2 [often passive] to plan how something should look and arrange it in this wayThe gardens were laid out with lawns and flower beds.a well-laid-out magazine related noun layout3 to present a plan, an argument, etc. clearly and carefullySynonym
set outAll the terms and conditions are laid out in the contract.4 (informal) to spend moneySynonym
fork outI had to lay out a fortune on a new car. related noun outlay