bail
noun · verb
Simple 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.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
baylIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈbeɪl
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
countableuncountable
Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.
criminal law
Money that must be forfeited by the bondsman if an accused person fails to appear in court for trial
lawuk
Release from imprisonment on payment of such money.
A bucket or scoop used for removing water from a boat etc.
A person who bails water out of a boat.
A hoop, ring or handle (especially of a kettle or bucket).
verb
Secure the release of (someone) by providing security
To set free; to deliver; to release.
AustraliaNew Zealand
To secure (a cow) by placing its head in a bail for milking.
intransitiveinformal
To fail to meet a commitment (to a person). [with on 'someone']
intransitiveslang
To leave or exit abruptly.
To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail.
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This 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.
Used this way, bail is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Nearby words
- bail bond , rarer, so it draws attention
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use bail
- “The judge set a high bail for the accused person.”
Share your sentence
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
Sense: security or usually a sum of money
Use This Word
See how this word sounds in a real sentence.
Ask Vocabaura
Understand the word your way.
What Does It Mean Here?
Words can change meaning depending on context.
Use it yourself
Knowing “bail” starts when you use it. Pick a next step, all free.
Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.