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
He crossed the outer yard, passed under a portcullis’ into the inner bailey, and was walking toward what he thought was the Tower of the Hand when Littlefinger ap-peared in front of him.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
The Red Keep was dark and still as Cayn and Tomard escorted him across the inner bailey.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
They set off across die bailey, Bronn matching his long stride to lyrion's short one.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Clinical nurse specialist Vicki Bailey said the women benefit from spending time together and sharing experiences.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Bailey started his business in his hometown of Grimsby but he and his team now deliver fitness sessions acoss the country, including at Lindley Park.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
"It's fun to know that the things that we've made here are out there and that we're all working together to improve standards in flow batteries," said Bailey.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
When treating Spark’s school days, Mr. Bailey attempts to blend an account of Edinburgh in the 1930s with a history and analysis of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” Spark’s most popular book.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
Bailey is sometimes allowed to join them, but always kept in his place.
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 Scarborough, Dorothy
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 Colman, George
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 Meiklejohn, John Miller Dow
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.
