bondsman

1 of 2

noun (1)

bonds·​man ˈbän(d)z-mən How to pronounce bondsman (audio)
: one who assumes the responsibility of a bond : surety

bondsman

2 of 2

noun (2)

bonds·​man ˈbän(d)z-mən How to pronounce bondsman (audio)

less common variant of bondman

: slave, serf

Examples of bondsman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Kim Kardashian, who has advocated for prison reform, paid the bondsman to have Glossip released, her publicist told The Oklahoman. Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 15 May 2026 Bail bondsman Ira Judelson secured the bond for his release. Mark Prussin, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026 In Florida, a defendant usually pays 10% of the total bond amount to a bondsman to bail out of jail. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026 In recent and far less violent times, bail bondsmen have employed private detectives and bounty hunters to track down bail jumpers, and the U.S. Department of Justice has rewarded whistleblowers who uncover immigration violations in the workplace. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bondsman

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1629, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bondsman was in 1629

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bondsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bondsman. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

bondsman

1 of 2 noun
bonds·​man ˈbän(d)z-mən How to pronounce bondsman (audio)

bondsman

2 of 2 noun
: one who gives a bond or bail for another

Legal Definition

bondsman

noun
bonds·​man ˈbändz-mən How to pronounce bondsman (audio)
: one who accepts responsibility as surety for the obligations of another and especially for bail

More from Merriam-Webster on bondsman

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster