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)

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)

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

Related Words

See size ¹.

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 bulk¹

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

Example Sentences

Others said they had finished the bulk of their Christmas shopping at the start of the month.

From BBC

China’s central bank on Dec. 22 will announce a key lending rate that is tied to the bulk of corporate and household loans.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the 6 feet to 8 feet ones that cost $75, and that make up the bulk of the trees he sells, did worse.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Fusion Industry Association has tracked $9.7 billion in investments into private companies, the bulk of them coming in the past couple of years and largely in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

About 13,000 miles of transmission lines carry bulk power through Edison’s territory.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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