bulk

¹ American  

[buhlk] / bʌlk /

noun

1. magnitude in three dimensions, especially great size or extent: a defensive tackle better known for his bulk than for his speed and agility.

   a ship of massive bulk;

   a defensive tackle better known for his bulk than for his speed and agility.

2. a body or mass, especially a large one: The granite bulk can be seen for 100 miles in many directions.

   The humpback whale was pushing its bulk through the water.

   The granite bulk can be seen for 100 miles in many directions.

3. the greater part; main mass or body.

   The bulk of the debt was paid.

4. Transportation. bulk cargo.

5. fiber.

6. (of paper, cardboard, yarn, etc.) thickness, especially in relation to weight.

7. bulk mail.

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adjective

1. being or traded in bulk.

   bulk grain.

verb (used without object)

bulks, present (3rd person singular) bulked, past participle, past bulking present participle

1. to increase in size; expand; swell.

2. to be of or give the appearance of great weight, size, or importance.

   The problem bulks large in his mind.

3. (of paper, cardboard, yarn, etc.) to be of or to acquire a specific thickness, especially in relation to weight.

4. to gather, form, or mix into a cohesive or uniform mass.

verb (used with object)

bulks, present (3rd person singular) bulked, past participle, past bulking present participle

1. to cause to swell, grow, or increase in weight or thickness.

2. to gather, bring together, or mix.

verb phrase

1. bulk up to increase the bulk of, especially by increasing the thickness of.

   Adding four chapters will bulk up the book.

idioms

1. in bulk,

   1. unpackaged.

      Fresh orange juice is shipped from Florida in bulk.

   2. in large quantities.

      Those who buy in bulk receive a discount.

bulk ² American  

[buhlk] / bʌlk /

noun

Architecture.

1. a structure, as a stall, projecting from the front of a building.

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bulk British  

/ bʌlk /

noun

1. volume, size, or magnitude, esp when great

2. the main part

   the bulk of the work is repetitious

3. a large body, esp of a person

   he eased his bulk out of the chair

4. the part of food which passes unabsorbed through the digestive system

   he eased his bulk out of the chair

5. unpackaged cargo or goods

6. a ship's cargo or hold

7. printing

   1. the thickness of a number of sheets of paper or cardboard

   2. the thickness of a book excluding its covers

8. (plural) copies of newspapers sold in bulk at a discounted price to hotels, airlines, etc which issue them free to their customers

9. 1. in large quantities

   2. (of a cargo, etc) unpackaged

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verb

1. to cohere or cause to cohere in a mass

2. to place, hold, or transport (several cargoes of goods) in bulk

3. to be or seem important or prominent

   the problem bulked large in his mind

bulk More Idioms  

1. see in bulk.

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Pronunciation

Bulk and bulge most often are pronounced with the vowel of buck. In South Midland and Southern U.S. the of book and bull commonly occurs among all speakers. Standard British speech has only . Both types exist in British regional speech, and both were brought to the colonies, where each came to predominate in a different area and was carried west by migration.

Usage

The use of a plural noun after bulk was formerly considered incorrect, but is now acceptable

Synonym Usage

See size ¹.

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have bulked
  perfect
• has bulked
  perfect 3rd person singular
• bulking
  participle
• am bulking
  progressive 1st person singular
• is bulking
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are bulking
  progressive
• bulks
  singular 3rd person
• have been bulking
  perfect progressive
• has been bulking
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had bulked
  perfect
• were bulking
  progressive plural
• had been bulking
  perfect progressive
• bulked
  participle
• bulked
  simple
• was bulking
  progressive singular

Future

• will bulk
  simple
• will have bulked
  perfect
• will have been bulking
  perfect progressive
• will be bulking
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of bulk¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English bolke, bulke “heap, cargo, hold,” from Old Norse bulki “cargo, ship's hold”

Origin of bulk²

First recorded in 1580–90; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Old Norse bálkr “partition, balk”

Explanation

Don’t be intimidated by the bulk of the dictionary on your desk. If you look in it, you’ll see that bulk is a small word used to talk about large things. Bulk has a variety of meanings that all involve something large, like the bulk of a ship in the harbor, or the excess bulk of your overweight cat. Bulk can also mean “majority,” as when the bulk of your diet is tater tots and guacamole. You can expect to put on a lot of bulk if you eat like that.

Example Sentences

Star Bulk Carriers agreed to acquire 16 Genco vessels for $470.5 million if Diana Shipping’s acquisition closes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

The festival will also stage the world premiere of Ben Wheatley's new film Bulk and screen The Toxic Avenger, which stars Peter Dinklage and Elijah Wood.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2025

Bulk milk surveillance is the main component of the National Milk Testing Strategy, which late in 2024 set out a roadmap for states to follow to eliminate H5N1 bird flu from cattle.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2025

Testing regimens and investigations have already been underway in the infected states — as well as in Pennsylvania, which in late November, began its own “Precautionary Bulk Milk Testing at Processing Plants” program.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2024

“Today we think about Bruiser Bulk and the fight.”

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• amount
• extent
• quantity
• total
• volume
• weight