bailout

1 of 2

noun

bail·​out ˈbāl-ˌau̇t 

: a rescue from financial distress

bail out

2 of 2

verb

bailed out; bailing out; bails out

intransitive verb

1

: to parachute from an aircraft

2

: to abandon a harmful or difficult situation

also : leave, depart

Synonyms

Verb

• exit
• move
• depart
• get
• go
• peel off
• walk out
• pull out
• get off
• cut out
• run along
• dig out
• sally (forth)
• go off
• take a walk
• escape
• push off
• evacuate
• clear out
• bail
• pike (out or off)
• start

Examples of bailout in a Sentence

Noun

government bailouts of large corporations

Verb

if the meeting seems like it will never end, find an excuse to bail out

the government bailed out the savings and loan industry

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

However, here’s the thing: this is all built on cheap, near-free money created by the history of recent bailouts and QEs. —Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

For five years, Chicago and CPS have helped cover deficits with billions of dollars from the pandemic bailout issued by President Joe Biden’s administration. —Forrest Claypool, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025

Verb

Her husband bailed out of jail June 26 on a $1 million bond. —Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 July 2025

Some point to the potentially positive impact on employee morale by suggesting that everyone in the firm is willing to sacrifice resources to bail out the weaker units. —Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1939, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1925, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bailout

• about
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout
• dugout

Kids Definition

bail out

verb

1

: to jump out of an airplane with a parachute

2

: to help from a difficult situation

Legal Definition

bailout

noun

bail·​out ˈbāl-ˌau̇t 

: a rescue from financial distress