bailbail1 /beɪl/ noun [uncountableU]LAW1when someone who has been accused of a crime is allowed to remain free until their court case starts, usually because an amount of money has been given to the court which the court will keep if the prisoner does not returnThe magistrates refused their application for bail.
Six former members of staff have been arrested and released on bail while the inquiry continues.
2the amount of money paid for bailBail was set at £100,000 each on condition that the defendants did not leave the country.
3post bail to leave a sum of money with a court of law as bailIf a defendant can post bail and presents no threat to the community, he can await trial at home.