1
: one that lays something (such as a worker who lays brick or a hen that lays eggs)
2
3
a
: a branch or shoot of a plant that roots while still attached to the parent plant
b
: a plant developed by layering
layered; layering; layers
1
: to propagate (a plant) by means of layers
2
a
: to place as a layer
b
: to place a layer on top of
pancakes layered with butter and syrup
c
: to form or arrange in layers
1
a
: to separate into layers
b
: to form out of superimposed layers
2
of a plant
: to form roots where a stem comes in contact with the ground
Examples of layer in a Sentence
Noun
Everything was covered by a thin layer of sand.
The top layer of the rug is badly worn but the bottom layer is still OK.
The cake has three layers.
She glued together several layers of paper.
He was wearing several layers of clothing.
rocks that formed in layers from flows of lava
Verb
We layered the fruit with whipped cream and served it with cookies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024
Pleasant, but consider grabbing a layer if out after dark.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
The Briefing is just one layer of The Republic's coverage of politics and the 2024 election.
—Rafael Carranza, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
Inside, it’s lined with another water-resistant layer to keep liquids from seeping in or spilling out.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024
Skin has a moisture barrier called the stratum corneum, Kapoor said, which is the topmost skin layer that stops water from leaving the body.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
The corona to this day remains shrouded in mystery, as Talaat said scientists are unsure of just why the outermost layer is able to reach a temperature of 1.8 million degrees Fahrenheit compared to the 10,000 degrees measured on the surface of the sun itself.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
Spring can pose some fashion challenges: To layer or not to layer?
—Brittany Vanderbill, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Editor's Tip: Its lightweight, gel-like consistency feels cooling on skin and doesn't lead to product pilling, even when layered with a rich moisturizer.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 10 Apr. 2024
Sugar is then added to the top of the pastry sheet before layering it again.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
The versatile vest can be layered over long sleeves for chillier spring days or worn solo on the hot ones.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Fried Green Tomatoes: battered tomato slices layered with pimento cheese for dipping sauces.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
If your leather jacket is a moto style, try layering it over a pair of trousers or jeans with a plain white T-shirt.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 29 Mar. 2024
Prince layered a maroon button-down shirt and glittery tie under his blazer.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Hathaway truly smolders in a smoky bronze and brown eye with color layered all the way up to her perfectly arched dark brows and brushed out past her outer corners, courtesy makeup artist Gucci Westman, who frequently works with the star.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 25 Mar. 2024
Noun
To Enrich the Soil Ground covers offer a protective layer over the topsoil, preventing it from drying out too much during warmer temperatures and retaining moisture throughout the winter.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024
Pleasant, but consider grabbing a layer if out after dark.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
The Briefing is just one layer of The Republic's coverage of politics and the 2024 election.
—Rafael Carranza, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
Inside, it’s lined with another water-resistant layer to keep liquids from seeping in or spilling out.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024
Skin has a moisture barrier called the stratum corneum, Kapoor said, which is the topmost skin layer that stops water from leaving the body.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
The corona to this day remains shrouded in mystery, as Talaat said scientists are unsure of just why the outermost layer is able to reach a temperature of 1.8 million degrees Fahrenheit compared to the 10,000 degrees measured on the surface of the sun itself.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
Spring can pose some fashion challenges: To layer or not to layer?
—Brittany Vanderbill, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
Verb
Mother's Day Cakes That Are Almost As Sweet As Mama
01 of 28
Chocolate Delight
This retro layered creation goes by many names.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Editor's Tip: Its lightweight, gel-like consistency feels cooling on skin and doesn't lead to product pilling, even when layered with a rich moisturizer.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 10 Apr. 2024
Sugar is then added to the top of the pastry sheet before layering it again.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
The versatile vest can be layered over long sleeves for chillier spring days or worn solo on the hot ones.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Fried Green Tomatoes: battered tomato slices layered with pimento cheese for dipping sauces.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
If your leather jacket is a moto style, try layering it over a pair of trousers or jeans with a plain white T-shirt.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 29 Mar. 2024
Prince layered a maroon button-down shirt and glittery tie under his blazer.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Hathaway truly smolders in a smoky bronze and brown eye with color layered all the way up to her perfectly arched dark brows and brushed out past her outer corners, courtesy makeup artist Gucci Westman, who frequently works with the star.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'layer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near layer
Cite this Entry
“Layer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/layer. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
layer
noun
lay·er
ˈlā-ər, ˈle(-ə)r 
1
: one thickness, course, or fold laid or lying over or under another
2
: stratum sense 1
the outer layers of the skin
layer
verb
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