bailey
noun
the defensive wall surrounding an outer court of a castle.
bailey
1 American
[bay-lee]
/ ˈbeɪ li /
noun
-
baileys
plural
-
the defensive wall surrounding an outer court of a castle.
-
the courtyard itself.
Bailey
2
American
[bay-lee]
/ ˈbeɪ li /
noun
-
Liberty Hyde, 1858–1954, U.S. botanist, horticulturist, and writer.
-
Nathan or Nathaniel, died 1742, English lexicographer.
Bailey
1
British
/ ˈbeɪlɪ /
noun
-
David . born 1938, English photographer
-
Nathan or Nathaniel . died 1742, English lexicographer: compiler of An Universal Etymological English Dictionary (1721–27)
bailey
2
British
/ ˈbeɪlɪ /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bailey
1250–1300; Middle English, variant of bail 4
Explanation
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."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
Sansa was allowed ter go riding too, but only in the bailey, and it got boring going round in a circle all day.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Pump boys were feverishly bringing water to the great tubs —it was one of those futile castles, which appear to have originated in Ireland, whose bailey was without a well.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
As they rode out into the bustle of Riverrun's upper bailey, a naked toddler ran in front at the horses.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
For steward Liam Davidson, it is a desire to see his French bulldog, Bailey, at the end of his fortnight on board.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
They appeared via videolink at the Old Bailey and a trial date was set at Manchester Crown Court for 15 June 2027.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
Before the war broke out in late February, inflation was on track to reach the BOE’s target late spring, Bailey said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said it is too early to tell if higher energy prices are spilling over into second-round inflation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Alex says there’s a school named after Nat Turner too, and a library named for Booker Bailey.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
If the barbican fell, the castle still had two courtyards, or baileys, from which last gasp fighting could be carried out.
From Salon ● Apr. 6, 2019
Headed toward DC on route 50 and was just after the baileys crossroads interchange when I saw a brilliant, bright green streak across the sky and sputter our just over the horizon.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 11, 2018
The outer baileys are defended by some great towers of massive Norman masonry from which you look all over the town and surrounding country.
From Normandy, Illustrated, Part 1 by Gordon Home
Why, the bum baileys do come into his house, and claw away all his goods and furniture.
From John Bull The Englishman's Fireside: A Comedy, in Five Acts by George Colman
The Normans called the two courts in front of their castles the inner and outer baileys; and the officer in charge of them was called the bailiff.
From A Brief History of the English Language and Literature, Vol. 2 by John Miller Dow Meiklejohn
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