To place something flat, to establish rules or principles, or (informal) to recline.
Put something down flat, or make a rule that everyone must follow.
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To place something in a flat or horizontal position on a surface.
"She carefully laid down the sleeping baby in the cot."
He laid down his pen and stared out the window.
— Common literary construction; representative example from general fiction prose
To officially establish or state rules, principles, or conditions that must be followed.
"The contract lays down strict conditions that both parties must meet."
We have a duty to lay down the law and insist on proper standards.
— Common political/parliamentary rhetoric; regularly used in UK House of Commons debates
To give up or surrender something, especially weapons or one's life, as an act of sacrifice.
"The rebels agreed to lay down their arms after the peace agreement was signed."
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
— The Bible, John 15:13 (King James Version)
To record music tracks in a studio.
"The band went into the studio to lay down their debut album."
To cause something to go from an upright or held position down to a flat surface.
Put something down flat, or make a rule that everyone must follow.
The transitive senses (place flat, establish rules) are standard in all registers. The intransitive use ('I need to lay down') is common in informal American English but considered non-standard by prescriptivists, who prefer 'lie down'. The 'establish rules' sense is often found in formal, legal, or religious contexts.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "lay down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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