overlay

1 of 2

verb

over·​lay ˌō-vər-ˈlā How to pronounce overlay (audio)
overlaid ˌō-vər-ˈlād How to pronounce overlay (audio) ; overlaying

transitive verb

1
a
: to lay or spread over or across : superimpose
b
: to prepare an overlay for
2

overlay

2 of 2

noun

over·​lay ˈō-vər-ˌlā How to pronounce overlay (audio)
: a covering either permanent or temporary: such as
a
: an ornamental veneer
b
: a decorative and contrasting design or article placed on top of a plain one
c
: a transparent sheet containing graphic matter to be superimposed on another sheet

Examples of overlay in a Sentence

Verb you should apply a coat of primer first, and then overlay it with two coats of paint cedar shingles overlaying one another on the roof Noun a silver ring with gold overlay The wooden table has a marble overlay.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The report is based on household survey data between 2010 and 2020, overlaid with temperature and rainfall data over 70 years. Somini Sengupta, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The result is Swiss efficiency overlaid with Italian charm, which is pretty much perfection in my book. Everett Potter, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Other watermarks overlaid on the videos falsely indicated that the videos were uploaded to the celebrities’ Instagram profiles, rather than sent privately via Cameo. Kevin Collier, NBC News, 7 Dec. 2023 The conceit comes into its own in the scenes featuring supernatural elements (the witches, Banquo’s ghost) and during Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness, when eerie vocal echoes are overlaid on the dialogue. Houman Barekat, New York Times, 19 Dec. 2023 The video overlays the real world with 3D models of Atlas' hands and the object. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024 Visualization software helps the scientists overlay ancient structures onto satellite maps. Jules Struck, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2023 But rather than juice the story with agitated music, Ruo overlays it with reverent chorales. An Epic Set, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2024 Only the bar hews contemporary, with lightbox panels overlaid in leafy floral print glowing from underneath the counter. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2024
Noun
California 310, 213, 818: Why Southern California is obsessed with area codes Jan. 26, 2021 The California Public Utilities Commission approved a proposal last year to add 738 to the mix as an overlay, meaning that it will be used in the same turf as 213 and 323. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 The information appears as an overlay that shows up directly on the lens. Emma Roth, The Verge, 9 Feb. 2024 With tracks that overlay vocalists and poets atop heavy synth, his unique strain of storytelling stands out in the genre. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 The law also requires companies to complete repairs more quickly and to perform comprehensive asphalt overlays more frequently, instead of the less aggressive slurry seal fixes now typically required after trenching. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2024 Along with issuing the IDs from a central location, new technology that emerged in the 1990s allowed ADOT to add holographic film overlay as a new anti-fraud measure. The Arizona Republic, 27 Jan. 2024 Themes not only apply different treatments to the photo itself, but also add editable text overlays. PCMAG, 26 Jan. 2024 The design featured a black velvet top and silver skirt with a lilac overlay. Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 8 Jan. 2024 Salter had some design experience and handled the creation of the overlay graphic, taking inspiration from another classic 3D title: Star Wars: TIE Fighter. Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 4 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overlay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overlay was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near overlay

Cite this Entry

“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlay. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

overlay

1 of 2 verb
over·​lay ˌō-vər-ˈlā How to pronounce overlay (audio)
overlaid -ˈlād How to pronounce overlay (audio) ; overlaying
1
: to lay or spread over or across
2

overlay

2 of 2 noun
over·​lay ˈō-vər-ˌlā How to pronounce overlay (audio)
: something (as a veneer on wood) that is overlaid

More from Merriam-Webster on overlay

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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