26984 words

bail

9 definitions ā€¢ 16 examples
1
an amount of money that a person who has been accused of a crime pays to a law court so that they can be released until their trial. The payment is a way of making certain that the person will return to court for trial:

Examples:

on bail He was out on bail awaiting trial.
be released on bail He was released on bail of $100,000.
free on bail He is free on bail and due back in court in October.
police bail She has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
grant bail Because of a previous conviction, the judge refused to grant bail (= allow the accused person to be released).
2
the two small pieces of wood on top of the stumps in a game of cricket, that can be knocked off with the ball to make the player who is batting (= hitting the ball) out:

Examples:

The bowler dislodged the bails with his second ball.
3
to remove water from a boat using a container:

Examples:

The boat's sinking! Start bailing quickly!
4
If someone accused of a crime is bailed, they are released until their trial after paying bail to the court:

Examples:

She was yesterday bailed for three weeks on drink-driving offences.
[ + to infinitive ] He was bailed to appear at the Magistrates' Court next month.
5
to stop doing something or leave a place before something is finished:

Examples:

It was so boring I bailed early.
6
a sum of money given to a law court by a person accused of a crime so that the person can be released until the trial, at which time the money will be returned:

Examples:

The judge set bail at $100,000.
7
to remove water from a boat by using a container:

Examples:

[ T ] Iā€™d float around for hours fishing and bailing out the water leaking in.
8
money that someone agrees to pay to a court so that a person who has been accused of a crime can remain free until their trial. If the person does not appear at the trial, the court keeps the money:

Examples:

The Court of Appeals let him remain free on bail during the appeal of his conviction.
I agreed to stand bail for him (= pay the bail).
Bail was set at Ā£20,000.
9
if someone accused of a crime is bailed, they are released until their trial, after money has been paid to the court:

Examples:

She was bailed after being charged with fraud.

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