lay

verb (PUT DOWN)

/leɪ/ (laid)

Definition

C1 [T usually + adv/prep] to put something in especially a flat or horizontal position, usually carefully or for a particular purpose: She laid the baby on the bed. He laid the tray down on the table. She laid aside her book and went to answer the phone. We're having a new carpet laid in the hall next week. The plan is to lay (= build) the foundations for the new apartments in October.Placing and positioning an object › [T] to prepare a plan or a method of doing something: Even the best laid plans go wrong sometimes.PreparingPlanning, expecting and arrangingPlotting and trapping

(Definition of lay verb (PUT DOWN) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)