bail Meaning & Definition
What Does Bail Mean?
Bail is used as a noun meaning Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial. It can also mean Release from imprisonment on payment of such money. As a verb, it means To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail. As a verb, it means To leave or exit abruptly.
Bail: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /beɪl/ |
| Synonyms | bail bond and bond |
| Plural | bails |
| Verb forms | bails, bailing, bailed |
Bail Definition (Noun)
- Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.
He was granted bail for £20000.
- Release from imprisonment on payment of such money.
- The person providing such payment.
- A bucket or scoop used for removing water from a boat etc.
- A person who bails water out of a boat.
- Custody; keeping.
Bail as a Verb
- To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail.
- To release a person under such guarantee.
- To hand over personal property to be held temporarily by another as a bailment.
to bail cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment; to bail goods to a carrier
- To remove (water) from a boat by scooping it out.
to bail water out of a boat
- To set free; to deliver; to release.
Verb
- To leave or exit abruptly.
With his engine in flames, the pilot had no choice but to bail.
- To fail to meet a commitment (to a person). [with on ‘someone’]
Noun
- A hoop, ring or handle (especially of a kettle or bucket).
- A stall for a cow (or other animal) (usually tethered with a semi-circular hoop).
- A hinged bar as a restraint for animals, or on a typewriter.
- A frame to restrain a cow during milking or feeding.
- A hoop, ring, or other object used to connect a pendant to a necklace.
- One of the two wooden crosspieces that rest on top of the stumps to form a wicket.
- Normally curved handle suspended between sockets as a drawer pull. This may also be on a kettle or pail.
Verb
- To secure the head of a cow during milking.
Verb
- To confine.
- To secure (a cow) by placing its head in a bail for milking.
- To keep (a traveller) detained in order to rob them; to corner (a wild animal); loosely, to detain, hold up.
Verb
- To exit quickly.
With his engine in flames, the pilot had no choice but to bail.
- To fail to meet a commitment.
Noun
- (furniture) Normally curved handle suspended between sockets as a drawer pull. This may also be on a kettle or pail.
Verb
- To keep (a traveller) detained in order to rob them; to corner (a wild animal); loosely, to detain, hold up. (Usually with up.)
Synonyms of Bail
Bail in a Sentence
He was granted bail for £20000.
to bail cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment; to bail goods to a carrier
to bail water out of a boat
to bail a boat
With his engine in flames, the pilot had no choice but to bail.
Word Forms & Grammar
bail (countable and uncountable, plural bails)
bail (third-person singular simple present bails, present participle bailing, simple past and past participle bailed)
bail (plural bails)
Words That Rhyme With Bail
Origin of Bail
Origin 1: From Middle English baille, from the Old French verb bailler (“to deliver or hand over”) and noun bail (“lease”), from Latin bāiulāre (“carry or bear”), from baiulus (“porter; steward”) (English: bailiff).
Origin 2: From a shortening of bail out, ultimately same as above.
Origin 3: From Middle English beyle, from Old English bīeġels, from bīeġan + -els.
Origin 4: Borrowed from French baillier.
Questions People Ask About Bail
Is bail a noun or a verb?
Bail is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for bail?
Close synonyms of bail are bail bond and bond. See the full list of bail synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of bail?
The plural of bail is bails.
What is the past tense of bail?
The past tense of bail is bailed. The present participle is bailing.