Laminar flow is described when all the fluids (gas or liquid) flow in the layers form.

When the liquid flows on the surface the layer of liquid which is in immediate contact with the surface is stationary. The velocity of the subsequent upper layers increases as the distance of the layers increases from the fixed layer which is stationary and in direct contact with the surface.

This type of flow which shows the gradation in the velocity in passing from one layer to another next is called Laminar flow.

Diagram showing the laminar flow of liquids.