What does laying mean?
Laying is most commonly used as the present participle of “lay,” meaning to place or set something down. It appears in expressions such as laying a claim, laying the foundations of a policy, or laying cables underground. As a noun, a laying denotes the act or arrangement of putting something in place, as in the laying of a pipeline; it can also mean egg-laying or an egg that has been laid. Laying is active and transitive, while the closely similar lying describes someone or something resting in a reclined or horizontal position. The distinction is essential in ordinary speech and is often tested by learners of English. The word is straightforward and largely neutral in register, though nominal uses such as “the laying of” may sound formal or technical. Its value lies in making clear that an action is underway rather than merely describing a resting state.
An act, process, or arrangement of placing something down; an instance of laying something. It may also refer to egg-laying or to an egg that has been laid.
"The laying of the underground cables was completed before dawn."
The noun is relatively uncommon in everyday speech and can sound formal or technical, particularly in constructions such as “the laying of cables.”
The present participle of “lay,” used to describe an action of placing or setting something down.
"Crews are laying a new pipeline across the valley."
This is an active, transitive participle and normally appears with a direct object.
The plural is established but uncommon, particularly when referring to individual eggs or individual acts of laying.
"The farmer gathered the hens' layings each morning."
Laying and lying preserve an old distinction: one places something down, and the result then lies there.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does laying come from?
The word belongs to the verb “lay,” meaning “to place or put down,” which comes from Old English legan. That verb was causative of Old English licgan, “to lie,” and is related to the modern verb “lie.” The modern distinction therefore preserves an old relationship: one lays something down, and the thing subsequently lies there. “Laying” is the regular modern -ing form of “lay.”
Related word forms
How laying is actually used
As a participle, “laying” is active and normally takes an object. As a noun, it is less common than the participial use; expressions such as “the laying of cables” may sound formal or technical, while “a laying” meaning an egg is uncommon.
Easily confused with laying
“Laying” is transitive and describes placing something, whereas “lying” is usually intransitive and describes someone or something being in a reclined or horizontal position.