the defensive wall surrounding an outer court of a castle.
the courtyard itself.
Liberty Hyde, 1858–1954, U.S. botanist, horticulturist, and writer.
Nathan or Nathaniel, died 1742, English lexicographer.
David . born 1938, English photographer
Nathan or Nathaniel . died 1742, English lexicographer: compiler of An Universal Etymological English Dictionary (1721–27)
1250–1300; Middle English, variant of bail 4
A bailey is the sturdy wall around a castle that keeps invaders out. The bailey of a medieval castle was usually built of stone. You might see a bailey — or the remains of one — if you tour a castle in England or France. The word bailey is used both to describe the defensive wall around a castle courtyard, or sometimes the courtyard itself. This type of castle design was especially common in twelfth century England. The word comes from the Old French bail, "stake, palisade, or brace," which may be rooted in the Latin bacula, "sticks."
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Castle Pulverbatch lie the remains of a motte and bailey castle, believed to be more than 1,000 years old.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Garbis Chekerdjian, a real-estate developer and construction-company owner from Lebanon, sat with his wife, Sonia, and several compatriots at one of the tables on the castle’s bailey.
From The New Yorker • Sep. 21, 2015
His sword went flying, his pony cantered away across the bailey, and a great gale of derision went up.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
He waddled out into the lower bailey; his stunted legs complained of the steps.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Two mules were waiting in the upper bailey, saddled and ready.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
