lay in

verb phrasal

The phrase "lay in" commonly refers to the act of obtaining and storing items for future use, though it has specific meanings in art and correctional contexts.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(common)To obtain and store items for future use.

Example

We need to lay in enough food and water for the winter.

C1Art

(technical)To apply initial layers of paint directly onto a blank canvas.

Example

The artist began to lay in the background colors before adding details.

C2Corrections

(prison)To allow an inmate to stay in their cell instead of working, usually due to illness or injury.

Example

Due to his injury, the inmate was given a lay-in for the week.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lay in":

lay on lay about lay over lie in lay by lay down lie down lay open lay away lay to lie over lay into lay figure lie around lay back lie back lie upon lie with lie by lay in lavender lie behind lay out lay up laid up lie in the way lay to rest lay low lay waste lay on the line lay aside bed down sleep on lie before sleep in lay odds rest on doss down get laid lay bare flat on one's back lay a foundation lair up sleep with lie on the oars live down sit in lard down lay off slept on lay an egg in bed lean in lace into lay it on thick layer up stand in lean into play in lay pipe