1. The production of eggs (especially in birds)
   "The hen's laying decreased during the winter months";
   - egg laying

1. Cause to have a certain (possibly abstract) location
   "lay your things here";
   - put, set, place, pose, position
    
2. Put in a horizontal position
   "lay the patient carefully onto the bed";
   - put down, repose
    
3. Prepare or position for action or operation
   "lay a fire"; "lay the foundation for a new health care plan"
    
4. Impose as a duty, burden, or punishment
   "lay a responsibility on someone"
    
5. Produce and deposit (an egg or eggs)
   "This hen doesn't lay"
    
6. [vulgar] Have sexual intercourse
   "they got laid in the back of the car"; "In the biblical sense, he lay with her";
   - sleep together, love, make love, sleep with, have sex, know [archaic], do it [informal], be intimate, have intercourse, lie with [archaic], bed [informal], get it on [informal]

Derived forms: layings

See also: lay away, put back [Brit, informal], put up, save, set out, set up, superimpose, unload

Type of: birth, birthing, copulate, couple, devise, displace, get up, giving birth, impose, levy, machinate, mate, move, organise [Brit], organize, pair, parturition, prepare

Encyclopedia: Laying