layer

UK: /ˈleɪə^r/ US: /ˈleɪɚ/ ,(lā′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

lay•er /ˈleɪɚ/   n. 

[countable]
1. a thickness of some material laid on or spread over a surface:
   a layer of soot on the window sill.
2. a bed;
   stratum:
   alternating layers of basalt and sandstone.
3. a person or thing that lays:
   a carpet layer.
4. a hen kept for egg production.
5. Clothing one of several items of clothing worn one on top of the other:
   wore layers of warm clothing.

v. [~ + object]

6. to make a layer of.
7. to form, put down, or arrange in layers.
8. Clothing to arrange or wear (clothing) in layers.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

lay•er  (lā′ər), n. 

1. a thickness of some material laid on or spread over a surface:
   a layer of soot on the window sill; two layers of paint.
2. bed;
   stratum:
   alternating layers of basalt and sandstone.
3. a person or thing that lays:
   a carpet layer.
4. a hen kept for egg production.
5. Clothing one of several items of clothing worn one on top of the other.
6. [Hort.]
   • Botany a shoot or twig that is induced to root while still attached to the living stock, as by bending and covering with soil.
   • Botany a plant so propagated.
7. Textiles [Ropemaking.] a machine for laying rope or cable.

v.t. 

8. to make a layer of.
9. to form or arrange in layers.
10. Clothing to arrange or wear (clothing) in layers:
    You can layer this vest over a blouse or sweater.
11. Botany [Hort.] to propagate by layering.

v.i. 

12. to separate into or form layers.
13. Clothing (of a garment) to permit of wearing in layers;
    be used in layering:
    Frilly blouses don't layer well.

• Middle English leyer, legger. See lay¹, -er¹ 1350–1400

lay′er•a•ble, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

layer / ˈleɪə/ noun

1. a thickness of some homogeneous substance, such as a stratum or a coating on a surface
2. a laying hen
3. a shoot or branch rooted during layering

verb

1. to form or make a layer of (something)
2. to take root or cause to take root by layering

Etymology: 14th Century leyer, legger, from lay¹ + -er¹