as in to store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place
an eating disorder that would impel her to lay up candy bars in her closet for all-night food binges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of lay up
The life cycle of a moth is 65 to 90 days, with female moths laying up to 300 eggs each.
—
Ellie Pithers, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025
But this bruin had laid up too much of his winter’s fat already.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025
These bears were laying up fat for their winter’s hibernation, and there must have been a dozen or so of them.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025
The Benedict sawmill is laid up due to the weather.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay up
Ellie Pithers, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025
But this bruin had laid up too much of his winter’s fat already.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025
These bears were laying up fat for their winter’s hibernation, and there must have been a dozen or so of them.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025
The Benedict sawmill is laid up due to the weather.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay up
Verb
-
Reporters may be asked to unlock phones, laptops, or social media accounts, which could lead to sensitive material being copied or stored.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
-
To make your clothes last longer, wash them less frequently, use cold water, wash inside out, air dry and store them properly.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Buffalos cut the lead to seven points at 28-21 with 3:28 left in the third quarter, but a three pointer by Javon Ross and a lay in by Brannan pushed the lead back to 12 at the end of the period.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Mar. 2025
-
The agency's foundation was laid in 1870 when Congress required the Secretary of War to oversee meteorological observations at military stations and give notice of approaching storms.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Fromm’s maturation also was thwarted by COVID restrictions that led the Bills to stash him off-campus in case Allen or Barkley got sick.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Separate your bills; stash some in your bag, and keep some on your person, either in your shoe, your bra, your pants pockets, or somewhere else secure.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
9 Apr. 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20up. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share