lying-in

IPA/ˌlaɪɪŋ ˈɪn/
IPA/ˌlaɪɪŋ ˈɪn/

lying-in — noun

1. the habit or choice of remaining in bed beyond your normal waking time, especial

1.nounB2
Definition

the habit or choice of remaining in bed beyond your normal waking time, especially for extra rest or enjoyment

Example

Arjun enjoyed a lying-in on Saturday morning after a busy week at work.

collocation: have a lying-in

The school holidays meant the children could enjoy a long lying-in every day.

uncountable use without article

Common collocations
  • have a lying-in
  • enjoy a lying-in
  • a long lying-in
  • a quiet lying-in
  • Sunday lying-in
Synonyms
  • lie-in

    shorter form, more common in everyday British conversation; 'have a lie-in'

  • sleep-in

    used interchangeably in British English, though 'lie-in' is more traditional

Antonyms
  • early start

    opposite situation where you get out of bed sooner than usual

Grammar Patterns

have + a + lying-in

Usage Note

This sense is most common in British English. In American English, 'sleep in' or 'lie in' (without the -ing suffix) is more frequent.

Common Mistakes

I had a sleeping-in this morning.
I had a lying-in this morning.
the compound noun is 'lying-in', not 'sleeping-in'.

2. a form of demonstration where people stretch out on the ground of a public area

2.nounC1
Definition

a form of demonstration where people stretch out on the ground of a public area and remain still, to signal strong objection to a policy or situation

Example

Students organized a lying-in outside the mayor's office to demand better funding for schools.

collocation: organize a lying-in

The activists held a peaceful lying-in across the main road for several hours.

collocation: hold a lying-in

Common collocations
  • organize a lying-in
  • hold a lying-in
  • take part in a lying-in
  • a peaceful lying-in
Synonyms
  • sit-in

    a related protest method where people sit, not lie down; more common than 'lying-in'

  • lie-down protest

    a more transparent alternative phrase, though less common in media reports

  • die-in

    a specific type where protesters lie as if dead, often used for gun violence or health protests

Grammar Patterns

organize + a + lying-in

hold + a + lying-in

3. the former social practice in which a woman stayed in bed for several weeks arou

3.nounC2
Definition

the former social practice in which a woman stayed in bed for several weeks around the time of childbirth, with help from female relatives or a midwife

Example

In the 1800s, a woman's lying-in could last up to six weeks after the birth.

time period associated with sense

Mei's great-grandmother recalled her lying-in as a quiet time with neighbours bringing food and help.

Common collocations
  • during her lying-in
  • lying-in period
  • a woman's lying-in
  • lying-in chamber
  • lying-in nurse
Synonyms
  • confinement

    the more general historical term for the period of staying in during and after pregnancy

  • childbed

    archaic term referring to the condition of a woman giving birth or recovering

  • postpartum confinement

    modern term for the recovery period after birth, without the bed-rest requirement

Grammar Patterns

during + (possessive) + lying-in

Usage Note

This historical sense appears mostly in books about past social customs or in historical fiction. It is not used for modern childbirth practices. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense describes the extended bed-rest custom, not the birth labour and delivery event itself.

Common Mistakes

She had a lying-in at the hospital.' (modern context)
In the 1700s, a woman's lying-in took place at home.
this sense refers to a historical custom, not modern hospital stays.

4. the period of active childbirth, from the start of labour until the baby is deli

4.nounC1
Definition

the period of active childbirth, from the start of labour until the baby is delivered

Example

The midwife stayed with Tanvi throughout her lying-in and made sure she was comfortable.

collocation: throughout her lying-in

Samir attended classes about the lying-in process together with his wife before their first child.

collocation: the lying-in process

Common collocations
  • during lying-in
  • the lying-in process
  • throughout her lying-in
  • lying-in period
Synonyms
  • childbirth

    the standard modern term for the process of giving birth

  • labour

    specifically the muscular contractions and physical work of giving birth

  • delivery

    focuses on the moment the baby is born

  • parturition

    technical medical term; very formal

Grammar Patterns

during + lying-in

Usage Note

Distinguish from the historical sense (3), which describes the extended bed-rest custom before and after childbirth. This sense refers specifically to the birth event itself—the labour and delivery. In modern English, 'childbirth', 'labour', or 'delivery' are far more common.

Common Mistakes

The doctor managed her lying-in quickly.
The doctor managed her labour quickly.
'lying-in' for childbirth sounds old-fashioned; use 'labour' or 'delivery' in modern medical contexts.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe staying in bed later than usual, but they differ in form and region. 'Lying-in' is the formal noun form of the compound, most common in British English; it can also mean a protest or historical childbirth confinement, so context matters. 'Lie-in' (e.g., 'I had a lie-in') is the everyday British term and is far more frequent in conversation. 'Sleep-in' is common in both British and American English as a noun, though some speakers consider it slightly less traditional than 'lie-in'. 'Lay-in' is a rarer American variant. For example, a British speaker might say 'I'm looking forward to a lie-in on Saturday,' while an American would more naturally say 'I'm planning a sleep-in.'

lying-in ↗lie-insleep-inlay-in

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • have a lying-in
  • hold a lying-in

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The noun 'lying-in' comes from the verb phrase 'lie in,' meaning to stay in bed, which dates from the 1400s. The specific childbirth sense emerged in the 1600s, based on the custom of a woman lying in bed during and after labour. By the 1800s, the word had also come to refer more broadly to any extended stay in bed, including sleeping late.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined above