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
The library was across the bailey, there was no way the fire would reach them here.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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
TTie carpenters had erected a gallery and lists in the outer bailey.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
The improbable evening turned into a moving tribute to both Capra himself and his tale of the suicidal banker George Bailey, who comes to realize that his life has indeed been wonderful.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
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
At its September meeting, Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey said energy price volatility made it more likely that interest rates would rise.
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
On the positive side, the economy has turned out to be more resilient than expected, Bailey said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Bailey stands there for a long while before he walks back across the field.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
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
Some sort of seneschal met us with a light and led us below the twilight arches, where beyond, I could catch glimpses of the baileys and courts and the donjon tower against the heavy ramparts.
From Humorous Ghost Stories by Dorothy Scarborough
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 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
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