layup

1 of 2

noun

lay·​up ˈlā-ˌəp How to pronounce layup (audio)
1
: the action of laying up or the condition of being laid up
2
: a shot in basketball made from near the basket usually by playing the ball off the backboard

lay up

2 of 2

verb

laid up; laying up; lays up

transitive verb

1
: to store up : lay by
2
: to disable or confine with illness or injury
a knee injury laid him up for a week
3
: to take out of active service

Examples of layup in a Sentence

Verb an eating disorder that would impel her to lay up candy bars in her closet for all-night food binges
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Oliver Rice’s tough box-outs and an and-one finish lifted Norwell out of a third-quarter lull, Nick Fein (seven points) had two steals and a layup at the horn to cap a 10-2 run to close the first half, and Keegan O’Hare (six points) drilled a momentous 3-pointer in the stretch. Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 12 Mar. 2025 Two layups and a three-pointer later, the Blue Hens shrunk the lead to eight. Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
He was laid up in bed for five weeks in the summer of 1919 but returned to the job that fall. Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025 Morikawa was laid up 90 yards out, while Henley's approach sailed right of the green. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for layup

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of layup was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Layup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/layup. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

layup

1 of 2 noun
lay·​up ˈlā-ˌəp How to pronounce layup (audio)
: a basketball shot made from near the basket usually by bouncing the ball off the backboard

lay up

2 of 2 verb
1
: to store up
2
: to disable or confine with illness or injury
a knee injury laid her up for a week
3
: to take out of active service

More from Merriam-Webster on layup

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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