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
As global growth stagnated, the United States offered bank bailouts and protections to consumers to stabilize U.S. markets, and China launched a massive infrastructure project to employ its workers and sustain its growth rates. Michael Brenes, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025 Before transit agencies are merged, the next state or city budgets are passed, or a Chicago schools bailout or bond issue is considered, the public has a right to know. David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
The insurers also can assess their own policyholders surcharges in the billions of dollars to bail out the plan under regulations put in place last year by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara as part of his Sustainable Insurance Strategy to help the crippled market. Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025 Penn State nearly turned the ball over via interception, but Drew Allar’s bad pass was bailed out by a holding penalty. NBC News, 10 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near bailout

Cite this Entry

“Bailout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bailout. Accessed 1 Feb. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!