bailment

American  

[beyl-muhnt] / ˈbeɪl mənt /

noun

Law.

1. the delivery of personal property returnable to the bailor after being held for some purpose.

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bailment British  

/ ˈbeɪlmənt /

noun

1. contract law a contractual delivery of goods in trust to a person for a specific purpose

2. criminal law the act of granting bail

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Etymology

Origin of bailment

1545–55; earlier bailement < Anglo-French; Old French baillement. See bail ¹, -ment

Example Sentences

But if he were to ask you to carry his knife somewhere to be mended, and you should take it, then it would be a bailment to you for his benefit.”

From Rollo's Museum by Abbott, Jacob

The more important alternative allegation, the assumpsit, had the effect in the end of introducing the not intrinsically objectionable doctrine that all duties arising from a bailment are founded on contract.

From The Common Law by Holmes, Oliver Wendell

A bailment is only where property is intrusted to another, for a certain purpose, to be returned again to the possession of the owner, when the purpose is accomplished.

From Rollo's Museum by Abbott, Jacob

It is not strictly necessary to go on and complete the proof that our law of bailment is of pure German descent.

From The Common Law by Holmes, Oliver Wendell

Another kind of bailment is the hiring of property for a reward.

From The Government Class Book Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. by Young, Andrew W.