Definitions

1. verb

to release someone from prison or custody, especially before trial, by paying a sum of money or providing a surety

“The judge allowed the defendant to bail, but warned him to return to court.”

2. noun

a sum of money paid or a surety pledged to secure the release of someone from prison or custody

“The bail was set at $10,000, which the defendant’s family had to pay.”

3. noun

a person or thing that provides security for the release of someone from prison or custody

“The bailiff stood as surety for the defendant’s bail.”

4. verb

to extract or pull out something, especially with a sudden or forceful movement

“The fisherman had to bail out the water from the sinking boat.”

5. noun

the amount of liquid extracted from a container, especially a boat

“The crew had to bail out the water that was flooding the engine room.”

6. verb

to leave or depart from something, especially in a sudden or unexpected manner

“The crew had to bail out of the sinking ship.”