layout

1 of 2

noun

lay·​out ˈlā-ˌau̇t 

1

: the plan or design or arrangement of something laid out: such as

a

: dummy sense 5b

b

: final arrangement of matter to be reproduced especially by printing

2

: the act or process of planning or laying out in detail

3

a

: something that is laid out

a model train layout

b

: land or structures or rooms used for a particular purpose

a cattle-ranching layout

also : place

c

: a set or outfit especially of tools

lay out

2 of 2

verb

laid out; laying out; lays out

transitive verb

1

: display, exhibit

2

: spend

3

a

: to prepare (a corpse) for viewing

b

: to knock flat or unconscious

4

: to plan in detail

lay out a campaign

5

: arrange, design

6

: to mark (work) for drilling, machining, or filing

Synonyms

Noun

• arrangement
• configuration
• conformation
• format
• formation
• setout
• setup

Verb

• disburse
• drop
• expend
• fork (over, out, or up)
• give
• outlay
• pay
• shell out
• spend

Examples of layout in a Sentence

Noun

The layout of the apartment was good, but the kitchen was too small.

She designed the page layout for the new magazine.

Verb

he laid out big bucks for a new lawnmower that runs by itself

the transatlantic balloonists laid out a backup plan in case of an emergency

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While taking your room’s layout and square footage into account, don't be afraid to think outside the box: how can your sitting room function for you? —Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2025

With layouts ranging from four to eight bedrooms, the residences will average over 7,000 square feet of open-plan living space, with private swimming pools and generous outdoor areas. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2025

Verb

Purple flower petals are laid out throughout the space to echo the perfume’s color codes, poems are displayed as shoppers walk by and flora is present throughout the path. —Clara Ludmir, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Following the eventful Cook Out 400 at Martinsville, Erik Jones was disqualified by NASCAR for failing to meet the minimum weight requirement laid out in the regulations. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for layout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

layout

1 of 2 noun

lay·​out ˈlā-ˌau̇t 

1

: plan entry 1 sense 1, arrangement

2

: something laid out

3

: a set or outfit especially of tools

lay out

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)lā-ˈau̇t

1

: plan entry 2 sense 1

lay out a campaign

2

: to arrange for display or for working on

lay out an exhibit

3

: spend sense 1