bail

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [U] money that sb agrees to pay if a person accused of a crime does not appear at their trial. When bail has been arranged, the accused person is allowed to go free until the trial: Can anyone put up bail for you? * She was released on ｣2000 bail. * Bail was set at $1 million. * He committed another offence while he was out on bail (= after bail had been agreed). * The judge granted / refused bail. * She jumped / skipped bail (= did not appear at her trial). 2 [C,usually pl.] (in cricket) either of the two small pieces of wood on top of each set of three wooden posts (called STUMPS) verb (BrE also bale) to release sb on bail: [VNtoinf] He was bailed to appear in court on 15 March. [also VN] PHRASALVERBS bail out (of sth) to jump out of a plane that is going to crash: The pilot bailed out and parachuted into the sea. bail out