Phrase guide

lay siege

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

Chiefly followed by against or to: to engage in a siege; to besiege.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To attack continually over a long period.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, intransitive

Examples

  • They’re laying siege to all we hold dear.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: belagern — to engage in a siege — see also besiege
  • Hungarian: ostromol — to engage in a siege — see also besiege
  • Hungarian: megostromol — to engage in a siege — see also besiege
  • Italian: assediare — to engage in a siege — see also besiege
  • Italian: cingere d'assedio — to engage in a siege — see also besiege
  • Hungarian: ostromol — to attack continually over a long period