layperson

noun

lay·​per·​son ˈlā-ˌpər-sᵊn How to pronounce layperson (audio)
plural laypeople ˈlā-ˌpē-pəl How to pronounce layperson (audio) also laypersons
1
: a member of the laity (see laity sense 1)
It [the Vatican] permitted groups of laypeople to apply to their local bishop and, after affirming loyalty to Vatican II, receive an indult allowing limited celebration of the 1962 missal.Peter Jeffrey
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha will award the Marian Medal to 79 laypersons from parishes throughout the Fall River Diocese …Mansfield (Massachusetts) News
2
: a person who does not belong to a particular profession or who is not expert or versed in some field
Intended for the layperson, this book uses straightforward language to aid in identifying more than 500 medicinal plants.Mark Blumenthal
Technically, it's called "Ultimate," but most laypeople need the "Frisbee" attached to make an association.Joe Miller

Examples of layperson in a Sentence

a meeting between clergy and laypeople
Recent Examples on the Web Changing World, Changing Role Not so long ago, before cyberspace existed (at least to the layperson), marketing was a 20th-century professional discipline that relied on channels such as print, television and radio. Mike Maynard, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 Making naloxone, a drug used to reverse opioid overdose that’s commonly known as Narcan, more widely available has been part of concentrated efforts to increase layperson intervention. Sam Tupper, CNN, 14 Oct. 2024 Eggers plays the layperson with joy, marveling as anyone would, professing ignorance as anyone would. Longreads, 27 Sep. 2024 But a layperson would never know the webpage concerned one of the most formidable families in American media; there are no names or other identifying information. Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for layperson 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'layperson.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of layperson was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near layperson

Cite this Entry

“Layperson.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/layperson. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

layperson

noun
lay·​per·​son ˈlā-ˌpərs-ᵊn How to pronounce layperson (audio)
: a member of the laity

More from Merriam-Webster on layperson

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