lay-by

[ ley-bahy ]

noun

1. British. (on a road or railroad) a place beside the main road or track where vehicles may wait.
2. Nautical. a mooring place in a narrow river or canal, formed to one side so as to leave the channel free.

lay-by

noun

1. a place for drivers to stop at the side of a main road
2. nautical an anchorage in a narrow waterway, away from the channel
3. a small railway siding where rolling stock may be stored or parked
4. a system of payment whereby a buyer pays a deposit on an article, which is reserved for him until he has paid the full price

verb

1. tr to set aside or save for future needs
2. Alsolay to to cause (a sailing vessel) to stop in open water or (of a sailing vessel) to stop

Word History and Origins

Origin of lay-by¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; noun use of verb phrase lay by

Idioms and Phrases

see lay aside , def. 2.