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REFERENCE

bid

v. · n.
US //ˈbɪd// UK //bˈɪd// bid
Irregular verb past bid past participle bid
  1. 1 to offer a price (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to offer a certain amount of money for something, especially at an auction.

    to offer a specific price for an item or service, particularly in a competitive auction or tendering process.

    Example

    Several collectors started to bid for the rare painting as soon as the auction began.

    Example

    The construction firm decided to bid for the government contract despite the strict environmental requirements and tight profit margins.

    Usage

    The past tense is 'bid' in financial contexts, but 'bade' in literary contexts.
  2. 2 to say a greeting (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Literary

    to say a greeting or a goodbye to someone.

    to utter or express a greeting, farewell, or salutation.

    Example

    He bade his friends farewell before boarding the train for his long journey.

    Example

    The host bade his guests a pleasant evening, standing by the mahogany doors as the last of the carriages departed.

    Usage

    Often uses the past tense 'bade'.
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  1. 3 to command (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to tell someone to do something.

    to issue a command or instruction to someone.

    Example

    The queen bade the messenger wait in the hall until the letter was finished.

    Example

    The general bade his troops remain silent as they approached the enemy's perimeter under the cover of darkness.

    Usage

    Usually followed by an object and an infinitive without 'to'.
  2. 4 an offer of money (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    an offer to pay a particular amount of money for something.

    an offer of a price, especially at an auction or as part of a business proposal.

    Example

    The highest bid for the old car was much lower than the owner expected.

    Example

    The company submitted a competitive bid for the infrastructure project, highlighting their previous experience with large-scale urban developments.
  3. 5 an attempt (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    an attempt to achieve or get something.

    an attempt or effort to achieve a specific goal or win a position of power.

    Example

    The athlete failed in her bid to win a third gold medal.

    Example

    The senator launched a bold bid for the presidency, focusing his campaign on economic reform and healthcare accessibility.
  4. 6 prison sentence (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang

    a period of time spent in prison.

    a term of imprisonment.

    Example

    He just finished a five-year bid and is looking for a fresh start.

    Example

    After serving a ten-year bid for armed robbery, he found it difficult to reintegrate into a society that had changed significantly.
Origin

From Latin bis in diē.

Word family

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