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. Also: lay 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.