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bulk

[ buhlk ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.
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.
the greater part; main mass or body:
The bulk of the debt was paid.
Transportation. bulk cargo.
fiber ( def 9 ).
(of paper, cardboard, yarn, etc.) thickness, especially in relation to weight.
bulk mail.

adjective

being or traded in bulk:
bulk grain.

verb (used without object)

to increase in size; expand; swell.
to be of or give the appearance of great weight, size, or importance:
The problem bulks large in his mind.
(of paper, cardboard, yarn, etc.) to be of or to acquire a specific thickness, especially in relation to weight.
to gather, form, or mix into a cohesive or uniform mass.

verb (used with object)

to cause to swell, grow, or increase in weight or thickness.
to gather, bring together, or mix.

verb phrase

to increase the bulk of, especially by increasing the thickness of:
Adding four chapters will bulk up the book.

bulk

[ buhlk ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Architecture.

a structure, as a stall, projecting from the front of a building.

bulk

/ ��ʌ�� /

noun

volume, size, or magnitude, esp when great
the main part
the bulk of the work is repetitious
a large body, esp of a person
he eased his bulk out of the chair
the part of food which passes unabsorbed through the digestive system
he eased his bulk out of the chair
unpackaged cargo or goods
a ship's cargo or hold
printing
1. the thickness of a number of sheets of paper or cardboard
2. the thickness of a book excluding its covers
plural copies of newspapers sold in bulk at a discounted price to hotels, airlines, etc which issue them free to their customers
in bulk
1. in large quantities
2. (of a cargo, etc) unpackaged

verb

to cohere or cause to cohere in a mass
to place, hold, or transport (several cargoes of goods) in bulk
bulk large
to be or seem important or prominent
the problem bulked large in his mind

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Usage

The use of a plural noun after bulk was formerly considered incorrect, but is now acceptable

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Pronunciation Note

Bulk and bulge most often are pronounced with the vowel [uh] of buck. In South Midland and Southern U.S. the [oo] of book and bull commonly occurs among all speakers. Standard British speech has only [uh]. 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.

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Word History and Origins

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 bulk²

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of bulk¹

C15: from Old Norse bulki cargo

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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.

More idioms and phrases containing bulk

see in bulk .

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Synonym Study

See size ¹.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Their concerns may not be entirely misplaced, given that these schemes make up the bulk of federal spending.

From

According to Rai, police had conducted a threat assessment ahead of the festival, and had partially closed a road on a street behind a school where the bulk of the festivities were taking place.

From

Patients would either receive "bulk billed" – completely free – care, mostly through the emerging public system, or heavily subsidised treatment through a private healthcare sector offering more benefits and choice to those who wanted them.

From

For affected bulk vessels, the fee will be based on the weight of their cargo, while the charge for container ships will depend on how many containers a vessel is carrying.

From

But polls show this election the bulk of Canadians are opting to support either the Conservatives or the Liberals.

From

Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

bulimic bulk buying

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