<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a thickness of some material laid on or spread over a surface: a layer of soot on the windowsill; two layers of paint.</li><li>something lying over or under something else; a level or tier: There can be multiple layers of metaphor in a single poem.</li><li>a bed; stratum: alternating layers of basalt and sandstone.</li><li>a person or thing that lays (often used in combination): a bricklayer.</li><li>a carpet layer; a bricklayer.</li><li>a hen kept for egg production.</li><li>one of several items of clothing worn one on top of the other.</li><li>Horticulture: a shoot or twig that is induced to root while still attached to the living stock, as by bending and covering with soil.</li><li>a plant so propagated.</li><li>Ropemaking: a machine for laying rope or cable.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to make a layer of.</li><li>to form or arrange in layers.</li><li>to arrange or wear (clothing) in layers: You can layer this vest over a blouse or sweater.</li><li>to cut (hair) in overlapping layers of different lengths: My hairdresser insisted on layering my hair at my last visit—I rather like it this way.</li><li>Horticulture: to propagate by layering.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to separate into or form layers.</li><li>(of a garment) to permit of wearing in layers; be used in layering: Frilly blouses don't layer well.</li></ul>