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 of bailout

Verb

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

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

Prime Minister Andy Burnham's office said Monday that while market conditions are challenging for the automotive sector globally, Britain's government will not consider a bailout for Jaguar Land Rover. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Knowing a bailout is coming, however, may inadvertently encourage farmers to sustain their dependence on the risky Chinese export market. — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

Cornerbacks Rodrick Pleasant and Scooter Jackson appeared to get beat on multiple routes downfield, but they were bailed out by poor throws or receivers dropping passes. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

This last category should raise eyebrows in Santa Clara County, whose residents will see little benefit from bailing out BART, Muni or AC Transit. — Marc Joffe, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026

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