bail

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): beɪ̯l or [ˈbeɪ̯(ə)ɫ] or [beə̯ɫ]

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Homophone: bale

Noun

Singular bail

Plural bails

1. (countable) A bail is an amount of money paid for the release of someone who has been arrested with the promise that he/she will appear in court for a trial.

   My friend had a fight with a stranger on the streets and I had to pay a bail of $12,000 for him.

2. (countable) A bail is a bucket or a scoop used for removing water out of a boat.

   We are in trouble if the boat leaks, because we forgot to bring the bail.

Verb

Plain form bail

Third-person singular bails

Past tense bailed

Past participle bailed

Present participle bailing

1. To bail someone is to use money to get an arrested person out of prison.

   Sorry, I have to go and bail my father. He got arrested for his reckless driving after drinking a few bottles of beer.