The term "bail" has several meanings, depending on its context.
1) In criminal law, bail is a process whereby an accused person can be released from custody by paying money or providing some form of security to guarantee their appearance in court at a later date. The amount of bail is typically set according to the severity of the crime and the defendant's likelihood of fleeing.
2) In insurance, bail refers to the act of releasing an arrested person from custody by providing financial assurance that they will appear in court when required. The amount of bail is typically set according to a schedule established by law or custom.
3) In sailing, bail refers to the action of tilting the boat's centerboard up out of the water so it no longer interferes with the flow of water under the hull. This allows the boat to sail more efficiently and at higher speeds.