lay-by

[ ley-bahy ]
/ ˈleɪˌbaɪ /

noun

British. (on a road or railroad) a place beside the main road or track where vehicles may wait.
Nautical. a mooring place in a narrow river or canal, formed to one side so as to leave the channel free.

Origin of lay-by

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

Example sentences from the Web for lay-by

British Dictionary definitions for lay-by

lay-by

noun

British a place for drivers to stop at the side of a main road
nautical an anchorage in a narrow waterway, away from the channel
a small railway siding where rolling stock may be stored or parked
Australian, NZ and Southern African 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 lay by (adverb)

(tr) to set aside or save for future needs
Also: lay to to cause (a sailing vessel) to stop in open water or (of a sailing vessel) to stop