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• lay-by
  lay-by

  noun

  (on a road or railroad) a place beside the main road or track where vehicles may wait.
• lay by
  lay by

  see lay aside, def. 2.

lay-by

American  

[lay-bahy] / ˈleɪˌbaɪ /

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.

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lay-by British  

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

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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

lay by Idioms  

1. see lay aside, def. 2.

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Etymology

Origin of lay-by

First recorded in 1795–1805; noun use of verb phrase lay by

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lay-by lay by

The rubbish appeared to have accumulated over time from being dumped from a lay-by at the top of Bwlch Mountain, meaning it lay on steep terrain that was difficult to access.

From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026

Renee MacRae's car was found on fire in a lay-by near Dalmagarry Quarry, south of Inverness, on 12 November 1976 but there was no sign of her, or three-year-old Andrew.

From BBC ● Mar. 22, 2026

After warning lights came on, she pulled into a lay-by, but moments later smoke filled the car and she rushed to get out.

From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2026

Welder fabricator Wesley was heading back to his workshop when he and his uncle noticed the car on fire in the lay-by.

From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2026

The man points to a line of small vans in a lay-by on the Turkish side.

From "Without Refuge" by Jane Mitchell

The puck lay by itself tantalizingly in the crease before Spokane native Derek Ryan raced in and slammed it home to put Edmonton ahead 2-1.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 17, 2023

She would lay by the pool in a big black hat and a black maillot bathing suit with high heels, black sunglasses.

From The New Yorker ● Dec. 1, 2019

The front end of a forklift landed in Jeanette Holecek’s yard as she lay by the Chevy.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 10, 2017

Julie faithfully brought Sarah to the Good Sam day after day to lay by LaVonne’s side, even speaking to her, pleading with her to “come back, your daughter needs you.”

From Washington Times ● Jun. 7, 2015

He fetched some biscuits for them and they lay by the wall of the house in the early sun, watching him.

From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford

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