Bail
/beɪl/
Definitions
3 meaningsMoney or property deposited to guarantee that someone will appear in court.
/beɪl/
Money to secure release
The judge set bail at $10,000.
💡 Simply: Money paid to get someone out of jail.
More Examples
She couldn't afford to pay bail.
How It's Used
"He posted bail to get his brother out of jail."
To release someone from custody on payment of bail.
/beɪl/
To release someone on bail
The court bailed him out on the condition that he attends all hearings.
💡 Simply: To release someone from jail after paying money.
More Examples
They were bailed pending further investigation.
How It's Used
"The judge bailed him out."
To remove water from a boat or other vessel using a bucket or similar implement.
/beɪl/
To remove water
We had to bail constantly to keep the boat afloat.
💡 Simply: To scoop water out of a boat.
How It's Used
"The sailors bailed out the water from the sinking boat."
Idioms & expressions
bail out
To rescue someone from a difficult situation, often financially.
"The government bailed out the failing bank."
From Old French *bailler, from Vulgar Latin *baialare, from Latin *bajulare "to carry, bear, balance".
The word's usage in relation to removing water predates its legal meaning.
Memory tip
Think of 'bale' – a package of goods; bail is a package of money to secure release.
Word Origin
"To carry, bear, balance"