Pronunciation: [lˈe͡ɪ ˈɛɡz] (IPA) 
The phrase "lay eggs" is represented in IPA phonetic transcription as /leɪ ɛɡz/. The first sound, /leɪ/, is pronounced with the lips rounded and the tongue arched towards the roof of the mouth, similar to the sound in "bay". The second sound, /ɛɡz/, consists of a short "eh" sound followed by a hard "g" and "z" sounds. This phrase refers to the process of a female bird, reptile, or amphibian producing and depositing eggs.
Lay eggs is a verb phrase that refers to the act of certain animals, primarily oviparous species, producing and placing eggs outside of their bodies for the purpose of reproduction. This process typically occurs in animals such as birds, reptiles, fish, and monotremes, among others.
The term "lay" denotes the action of decisively depositing or placing something, while "eggs" refer to the reproductive structures found in many organisms. When an animal is said to lay eggs, it means they lay a specific type of egg, which serves as a protective container for an embryo to develop outside the parent's body.
This reproductive strategy is often observed in birds, with females laying eggs in nests or cavities they construct or find. Reptiles may lay eggs in the soil or bury them, while fish may scatter their eggs in water bodies. Monotremes, such as the platypus and echidna, are unique mammals that also lay eggs.
The process of laying eggs is vital for the continuation and survival of many species. These eggs are often fertilized by a male's sperm before being laid. Following the laying of eggs, the embryos inside undergo development, eventually hatching into young offspring. The specific incubation period and care provided to the eggs vary across different species, but laying eggs is a fundamental method of propagation among various groups of animals.
The etymology of the phrase "lay eggs" is a combination of Old English and Old Norse origins. The word "lay" comes from the Old English verb "lecgan", which means to put or place. The term "egg" stems from the Old Norse word "egg" or "eggja", which refers to the reproductive structure that many animals, including birds, lay.
