bail

//beɪl//
B2Frequency Level 10Neutral
Visual representation of bail

Noun

bailSingular
bailsPlural
1

Money paid to a court to secure the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, with the understanding that they will return for court proceedings

The judge set bail at $50,000.

2

The legal process or system of releasing someone from custody by providing such security

The bail system allows defendants to remain free until their trial.

Verb

bailInfinitive
bailPresent tense
bailedPast tense
bailedPast participle
bailingPresent participle
bailsThird-person singular
1

To secure the release of (someone) from custody by providing bail money to the court

His family bailed him out of jail.

2

To remove water from a boat using a container or pump

We had to bail water out of the boat after the storm.

3

To exit or abandon a situation, especially suddenly or in an emergency (often with 'out')

When the project started failing, several team members decided to bail out.

4

To help someone out of a difficult situation, especially financially (often with 'out')

My parents bailed me out when I couldn't pay my rent.

Noun

bailSingular
bailsPlural
1

A curved handle of a bucket or kettle

She grabbed the bucket by its bail and carried it to the well.

2

One of the two small wooden crosspieces that rest on top of the stumps in cricket

The bowler knocked the bail off the stumps.