lay down

verb

laid down; laying down; lays down

transitive verb

1

: to give up : surrender

lay down your arms

2

a

: establish, prescribe

lay down a scale for a map

b

: to assert or command dogmatically

lay down the law

3

a

: store, preserve

laid down a young wine

b

: record

laying down songs for their new album

4

a

: to direct toward a target

lay down a barrage

b

: to hit along the ground

laid down a sacrifice bunt

intransitive verb

nonstandard : to lie down

Synonyms

• constitute
• enact
• legislate
• make
• ordain
• pass

Examples of lay down in a Sentence

the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals

at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments

Recent Examples on the Web

The first major parts of the boat were laid down in 2020, kicking off a $625 million project between Dominion Energy and Seatrium AmFELS, which is building the massive vessel in its Brownsville, Texas, shipyard. —Brian Cheung, NBC News, 30 June 2024

On top of that the company laid down some ground rules for staffers working on Netflix’s wide range of content, which highlights a plethora of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 June 2024

Its velvety tannins and complex layers of black-cherry, blackberry, clove, and dark-chocolate flavors are perfect to enjoy now after decanting, but this will lay down beautifully for up to 25 years. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 13 June 2024

The first smells of a neighbor lighting charcoal and laying down some hamburger patties. —Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Video

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

Kids Definition

lay down

verb

1

: establish sense 1, prescribe

lay down standards

2

: to state or declare forcefully

lay down the law