lay out

British  

verb

1. to arrange or spread out

2. to prepare (a corpse) for burial or cremation

3. to plan or contrive

4. informal  to spend (money), esp lavishly

5. informal  to knock unconscious

6. informal  to exert (oneself) or put (oneself) to an effort

   he laid himself out to please us

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noun

1. the arrangement or plan of something, such as a building

2. the arrangement of written material, photographs, or other artwork on an advertisement or page in a book, newspaper, etc

3. a preliminary plan indicating this

4. a drawing showing the relative disposition of parts in a machine, etc

5. the act of laying out

6. something laid out

7. the formation of cards on the table in various games, esp in patience

8. informal  a residence or establishment, esp a large one

lay out Idioms  

1. Make a detailed plan, design, or explanation, as in They laid out the exact dimensions in order to construct the new display , or Robert laid out next year's plans for his staff . [Mid-1700s]

2. Prepare a dead body for burial, as in He died that morning and was laid out for the wake by afternoon . [Late 1500s]

3. Rebuke harshly, as in She laid me out for breaking the vase . [ Slang ; late 1800s]

4. Knock unconscious or to the ground, render helpless, as in He laid him out with one good punch . [Late 1800s]

5. Expend, spend, as in She laid out a fortune on jewelry . [Mid-1400s]

6. Display or arrange, especially in a particular order, as in He asked her to lay out the merchandise in an attractive way . [Mid-1400s]

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Example Sentences

The Chinese leadership is expected to lay out key policy priorities for the world’s second-largest economy in 2026, and could offer hints of any stimulus plan to come.

From The Wall Street Journal

In laying out the workings of a traditional Dutch windmill, for instance, he conjures a fictional miller, “a congenial fellow” who “knocks out his pipe on the door frame” before getting to work.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Thursday, he will lay out a detailed vision for the company for the first time at an investor gathering in London.

From The Wall Street Journal

CEO Daniel Heaf lays out the conundrum facing many households this holiday season: “Do I want to put food on my table, or do I want a candle?” he said on a call with Barron’s.

From Barron's

CEO Daniel Heaf lays out the conundrum facing many households this holiday season: “Do I want to put food on my table, or do I want a candle?” he said on a call with Barron’s.

From Barron's

Related Words

• arrange
• chart
• outline