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bale

/beɪl/
/beɪl/
IPA guide

Other forms: bales; baling; baled

A bale is a bound-up bundle, usually made of hay. When you drive past a farm in the fall, you'll often see bales of hay scattered across the fields.

A bale is a compact, easy-to-move bundle of a crop like hay or cotton. Bales are formed in various shapes by a machine called a baler, and wrapped in twine or wire so they can be efficiently transported or stored. The word bale is Old French for "rolled-up bundle," from the same Germanic root as ball.

Definitions of bale
  1. noun
    a large bundle bound for storage or transport
    see moresee less
    types:
    hay bale
    a bale of hay
    type of:
    bundle, sheaf
    a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing
  2. verb
    make into a bale
    bale hay”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    accumulate, amass, collect, compile, hoard, pile up, roll up
    get or gather together
Pronunciation
US
/beɪl/
UK
/beɪl/
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Commonly confused words

bail / bale

Someone accused of a crime is put in jail to await trial, unless bail is paid to temporarily bail the person out from custody. A bale of hay is a large bound bundle of harvested straw, stored for farm animal meals and snacks.

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