Word

bail

noun C1

/beɪl/

Meanings

noun

Money or security paid to a court to release an accused person until trial or a court hearing.

verb

To remove water from a boat using a bucket or similar container.

verb

To leave a situation or activity suddenly, especially when it becomes difficult or unpleasant.

Definition

Bail is money paid to the court so someone accused of a crime can be released while waiting for trial.

Bail is an amount of money or a security deposit paid to a court to allow an accused person to leave custody until their court date. It is meant to encourage the person to return to court when required. If the person follows the conditions, the money is usually returned, but it can be lost if they do not appear.

Examples

I couldn’t post bail that night, so I had to wait until the hearing the next morning.
She was released on bail, but she still had to check in regularly and attend every court date.
They set bail at an amount that reflected the seriousness of the charge and the risk of flight.
He decided to bail on the road trip after the weather forecast turned dangerous and the plans fell apart.
We had to bail for nearly an hour to keep the canoe from taking on too much water during the storm.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse bail (money/security for temporary release) with fine (a punishment paid after a conviction).