Bale

/beɪl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A large bundle of goods tightly wrapped and bound with twine or wire, often covered with a protective sheath.

The farmer loaded several bales of hay onto the truck for the winter.

A large package, typically of paper or cloth, that is wrapped and secured.

The shipment included bales of cotton ready for processing.

A bundle of merchandise or cargo, especially one that can be easily handled.

We received a delivery of bales containing various textiles from overseas.

verb

To package goods into bales.

After the harvest, we will bale the straw for storage.

To tie or bundle something into a bale.

He baled the old clothes to donate them to charity.

Middle English 'bale' from Old French 'bail', meaning a bundle.

bale out

To come to the rescue or help someone in difficulty.

baling

The process of forming bales.

baleen

Whalebone used in the filter-feeding system of baleen whales.

To bail or to remove water from a boat.

We had to bale out the boat after it started taking on water.

To escape or to leave a situation.

He decided to bale when the party got boring.