bail
noun (uncountable)
UK/beɪl/US/beɪl/
money or other security given to secure the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, returned if the person attends their court proceedings
Example Sentences
He was released on bail pending his trial date.
The judge set a high bail to ensure the defendant would appear in court.
Posting bail can be expensive, so some defendants turn to bail bond services.
If he violates the conditions of his release, he risks forfeiting his bail.
They couldn’t afford to pay the full amount of bail and had to remain in custody.
In many jurisdictions, the bail system has been criticized for disproportionately affecting low-income individuals, who may remain in jail simply because they cannot afford to secure their temporary release.
The bail hearing took place immediately after the arrest, determining whether the suspect posed a flight risk or threat to public safety and whether release was appropriate under the circumstances.
Her family quickly gathered the funds needed for bail, ensuring she could return home until her court date.
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verb (transitive)
UK/beɪl/US/beɪl/
to remove water from a boat, or (informal) to abandon a difficult situation or to secure someone’s release by paying bail
Example Sentences
We had to bail water out of the boat to prevent it from sinking.
He decided to bail on the project when it became too time-consuming.
If you don’t show up, the friend who bailed you out might lose the money they posted on your behalf.
She tried to bail her son out of jail, but the court denied his request.
When the conversation got heated, he found an excuse to bail and left immediately.
We spent hours bailing water from the leaky canoe, but eventually we managed to get to shore without completely flooding the vessel.
It’s unwise to bail on your responsibilities at work without proper notice, as it can harm both your reputation and your colleagues who rely on your contributions.
His father agreed to bail him out again, but warned that there wouldn’t be a next time if he continued getting into legal trouble.
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How to Use
Refers to the financial assurance for a defendant's temporary release or the action of removing water from a boat.“Bail” primarily serves two functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it represents the amount of money a defendant must pay to be released from custody while awaiting trial, ensuring their appearance in court. For example, “He was released on bail after posting $10,000.” This financial guarantee helps the legal system manage pre-trial detention and court appearances.As a verb, “bail” can mean to secure someone's release by paying bail—“They decided to bail him out”—or to abandon a plan or leave abruptly—“She decided to bail on the meeting.” Additionally, in a nautical context, “bail” refers to removing water from a boat, either manually with a bucket or using a bailer tool—“They had to bail out the boat after the leak.” The context in which “bail” is used typically clarifies its specific meaning, whether related to legal processes, personal decisions, or maritime activities.
Alternatives
Depending on the context, synonyms for “bail” include:- **Legal (noun)**: bail bond, security deposit.- **Legal (verb)**: release, secure release, post bail.- **Abandoning (verb)**: ditch, skip, leave, desert.- **Nautical**: scoop, remove water, drain.While these alternatives can convey similar meanings, “bail” remains the most concise and widely understood term across its various uses.
Writing
When using “bail” in formal or academic writing, clarify the context to avoid ambiguity. For legal discussions, specify whether you’re referring to the monetary aspect or the process of securing release—for example, “The defendant was granted bail pending further investigation.” In narratives or descriptive writing, provide context to indicate whether it’s about leaving abruptly or removing water from a vessel—“Faced with the storm, the crew had to bail water to keep the boat afloat.” If discussing colloquial uses, such as abandoning plans, ensure the surrounding text supports the intended meaning. Precise usage helps maintain clarity, especially given “bail”’s multiple definitions.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “bail” often refers to leaving a situation abruptly or deciding not to follow through with plans—for instance, “I think I’ll bail on dinner tonight,” meaning you’re choosing not to attend. It’s also used in legal contexts when discussing someone being released from custody—“He got bailed out by his parents.” Additionally, in boating scenarios, someone might say, “We need to bail the boat,” indicating they need to remove water to prevent sinking. In casual speech, the meaning is usually clear from context, whether it’s about departing, legal release, or handling a water issue.
Etymology
The term “bail” originates from the Old French word “bailler,” meaning “to deliver, give, or hand over,” which itself comes from the Latin “ballare,” meaning “to dance” or “to deliver.” Over time, the legal sense of providing security for release developed, particularly in English common law. The nautical usage likely stems from the action of scooping or removing water, metaphorically relating to freeing the boat from excess. Despite its varied meanings today, “bail” retains the core idea of releasing, securing, or removing something from a particular state or location.