bail
1property or money given as surety that a person released from custody will return at an appointed time.
the person who agrees to be liable if someone released from custody does not return at an appointed time.
the state of release upon being bailed.
to grant or obtain the liberty of (a person under arrest) on security given for their appearance when required, such as in court for trial.
to deliver possession of (goods) for storage, hire, or other special purpose, without transfer of ownership.
Idioms about bail
go / stand bail for, to provide bail for: They spent the night in jail because no one would stand bail for them.
jump bail, to fail to return while free on bail: The suspect jumped bail and is now being sought.
on bail, (of a temporarily released person under arrest) having provided bail: He was out on bail within 10 hours of his arrest.
Origin of bail
1Other definitions for bail (2 of 4)
the semicircular handle of a kettle or pail.
a hooplike support, as for the canvas cover on a Conestoga wagon.
a metal band or bar equipped with rollers for holding a sheet or sheets of paper against the platen of a printing press, typewriter, etc.
Origin of bail
2- Rarely bale .
Other definitions for bail (3 of 4)
to dip (water) out of a boat, as with a bucket.
to clear of water by dipping (usually followed by out): to bail out a boat.
to relieve or assist (a person, company, etc.) in an emergency situation, especially a financial crisis (often followed by out): The corporation bailed out its failing subsidiary through a series of refinancing operations.
to clear a boat of water, as with a bucket: They flipped the canoe back to its upright position and started bailing rapidly.
to make a parachute jump from an airplane (often followed by out).
to give up on or abandon something, as to evade a responsibility (often followed by out): My cousin volunteered to help but bailed at the last minute.
Also bailer. a bucket, dipper, or other container used for bailing.
Origin of bail
3- Also bale (for defs. 1, 2, 4) .
Other definitions for bail (4 of 4)
Cricket. either of the two small bars or sticks laid across the tops of the stumps which form the wicket.
British, Australian. a bar, framework, partition, or the like, for confining or separating cows, horses, etc., in a stable.
bails, Obsolete. the wall of an outer court of a feudal castle.
bail up, Australian.
to confine a cow for milking, as in a bail.
to force (one) to surrender or identify oneself or to state one's business.
to waylay or rob (someone).
Origin of bail
4Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use bail in a sentence
I sings out to Andie Howe in the boat here to hand me one of the bailers in the boat.
The Seiners | James B. (James Brendan) ConnollyThe shells are also used for drinking cups, water-bottles, scoops, catch-alls and bailers for canoes.
In the Track of the Trades | Lewis R. FreemanDicey and Patch, you must keep the bailers going, for we shall ship some seas, and must be prepared.
The Voyages of the Ranger and Crusader | W.H.G. KingstonI clung to the steering-oar, and my companions to their bailers; how many hours we thus rushed along I know not.
Perseverance Island | Douglas Frazar
British Dictionary definitions for bail (1 of 4)
/ (beɪl) law /
a sum of money by which a person is bound to take responsibility for the appearance in court of another person or himself or herself, forfeited if the person fails to appear
the person or persons so binding themselves; surety
the system permitting release of a person from custody where such security has been taken: he was released on bail
jump bail or formal forfeit bail to fail to appear in court to answer to a charge
stand bail or go bail to act as surety (for someone)
(often foll by out) to release or obtain the release of (a person) from custody, security having been made
Origin of bail
1- See also bail out
British Dictionary definitions for bail (2 of 4)
bale
/ (beɪl) /
(often foll by out) to remove (water) from (a boat)
Origin of bail
2Derived forms of bail
- bailer or baler, noun
British Dictionary definitions for bail (3 of 4)
/ (beɪl) /
cricket either of two small wooden bars placed across the tops of the stumps to form the wicket
agriculture
a partition between stalls in a stable or barn, for horses
a portable dairy house built on wheels or skids
Australian and NZ a framework in a cowshed used to secure the head of a cow during milking
See bail up
Origin of bail
3British Dictionary definitions for bail (4 of 4)
bale
/ (beɪl) /
the semicircular handle of a kettle, bucket, etc
a semicircular support for a canopy
a movable bar on a typewriter that holds the paper against the platen
Origin of bail
4Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with bail
In addition to the idiom beginning with bail
- bail out
also see:
- make bail
- out on bail
- skip bail
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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