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

• bail
• begone
• book [slang]
• bug off
• bug out
• bugger off [British slang]
• buzz (off)
• clear off [chiefly British]
• clear out
• cut out
• depart
• dig out
• exit
• get
• get off
• go
• go off
• move
• pack (up or off)
• part
• peel off
• pike (out or off)
• pull out
• push off
• push on
• quit
• run along
• sally (forth)
• scarper [British]
• shove (off)
• step (along)
• take off
• vamoose
• walk out

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

With a steady and balanced approach, RFK Jr. and Oz can save taxpayers and consumers from a costly Medicare bailout. —David Williams, Baltimore Sun, 15 Dec. 2024

In December 2022, Ghana officially defaulted on much of its debt, forcing it to approach the International Monetary Fund for a $3 billion bailout. —Justice Baidoo, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

Kyle Anderson bailed out a disgusting Warriors possession with a lefty layup, then Curry canned his third 3 to inch within three. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 7 Dec. 2024

She was bailed out by her birth mother, according to Rosie's social media post. —Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1939, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1925, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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