layer

1 of 2

noun

lay·​er ˈlā-ər  ˈler 

1

: one that lays something (such as a worker who lays brick or a hen that lays eggs)

2

a

: one thickness, course, or fold laid or lying over or under another

b

: stratum

c

: horizon sense 2

3

a

: a branch or shoot of a plant that roots while still attached to the parent plant

b

: a plant developed by layering

layered

ˈlā-ərd  ˈlerd 

adjective

layer

2 of 2

verb

layered; layering; layers

transitive verb

1

: to propagate (a plant) by means of layers

2

a

: to place as a layer

b

: to place a layer on top of

pancakes layered with butter and syrup

c

: to form or arrange in layers

intransitive verb

1

a

: to separate into layers

b

: to form out of superimposed layers

2

of a plant : to form roots where a stem comes in contact with the ground

Examples of layer in a Sentence

Noun

Everything was covered by a thin layer of sand.

The top layer of the rug is badly worn but the bottom layer is still OK.

The cake has three layers.

She glued together several layers of paper.

He was wearing several layers of clothing.

rocks that formed in layers from flows of lava

Verb

We layered the fruit with whipped cream and served it with cookies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Elijah Craig also launched a Toasted Rye Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, which features complex layers of soft and creamy milk chocolate that add to the characteristic spice notes of Elijah Craig Straight Rye. —Gege Reed, The Enquirer, 26 Dec. 2024

Gonella’s is home to Italian sub sandwiches ordered by the number of layers of meat — 6, 8, 12, 14 and 18 — and 1, 2 or 3 layers of cheese. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 26 Dec. 2024

Verb

On the hotel’s outdoor après-ski patio, guests can lounge in Perfect Moment chairs and houndstooth patterned outdoor sling chairs, layered with sheepskin. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024

With a heritage equally as layered as wine, coffee has only recently received similar acclaim for its complex brewing and roasting techniques, garnering attention from millions of fledgling aficionados. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1832, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing layer

• atomic layer deposition
• boundary layer
• D layer
• E layer
• F layer
• germ layer
• Heaviside layer
• layer cake
• Malpighian layer
• ozone layer
• palisade layer
• sporadic E layer
• thin-layer chromatography

Kids Definition

layer

1 of 2 noun

lay·​er ˈlā-ər 

ˈle(-ə)r

1

: one that lays

their hens were poor layers

2

: one thickness or fold over or under another

a layer or rock

layered

ˈlā-ərd 

ˈle(-ə)rd

adjective

layer

2 of 2 verb

1

: to separate into layers

2

: to form by adding layers

Medical Definition

layer

noun

lay·​er ˈlā-ər, ˈle(-ə)r 

1

: one thickness, course, or fold laid or lying over or under another

2

: stratum sense 1

the outer layers of the skin

layer verb