bailout

1 of 2

noun

bail·​out ˈbāl-ˌau̇t How to pronounce bailout (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
But the financial assistance for Argentina, structured in the form of a currency swap, has torn at the president’s MAGA support and frustrated business groups that noted Argentina, an agricultural rival, sold shipments of soybeans to China as talk of a bailout became public. David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2025 Trump’s comments about relocating games from Boston came during his meeting with Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, as his administration moves forward with a 20 billion dollar bailout of the South American country, with apparent strings attached. Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Democrats are using a $20 billion lifeline to Argentina to claim Republicans care more about bailing out foreign governments than helping Americans at home. David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2025 While her friends remain locked up, Jenner is ultimately bailed out by momager Kris Jenner in a car that once again has a KNGKYLIE plate and a glove compartment stocked with Kylie Cosmetics products. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bailout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1939, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1925, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bailout was in 1925

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bailout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bailout. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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 How to pronounce bailout (audio)
: a rescue from financial distress

More from Merriam-Webster on bailout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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