1 bailey | Definition of bailey

bailey

noun
bai·​ley | \ ˈbā-lē How to pronounce bailey (audio) \
plural baileys

Definition of bailey

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1 : the outer wall of a castle or any of several walls surrounding the keep
2 : a courtyard within the external wall or between two outer walls of a castle

Bailey

biographical name (1)
Bai·​ley | \ ˈbā-lē How to pronounce Bailey (audio) \

Definition of Bailey (Entry 2 of 4)

Liberty Hyde 1858–1954 American botanist

Bailey

biographical name (2)

Definition of Bailey (Entry 3 of 4)

Nathan or Nathaniel died 1742 English lexicographer

Bailey

biographical name (3)

Definition of Bailey (Entry 4 of 4)

Pearl Mae 1918–1990 American singer

Examples of bailey in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But avoid mixers whenever possible — margarita mix, schnapps, baileys, curacao will generally add 10g of carbs per serving. Kimberly Mugler, Philly.com, "Dos and donts of drinking alcohol on paleo, keto diets," 26 May 2018 Your feudal lord did not have a range of mottes, baileys, bartizans, drawbridges, dungeons, machicolations and turrets to choose from. A-LIST, "Stephen Bayley: Why Taste is the Greatest Taboo," 2 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bailey.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of bailey

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for bailey

Noun

Middle English bailli, palisade, bailey, from Anglo-French baille, balie

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More from Merriam-Webster on bailey

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with bailey

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bailey