# bulk

/ˈbəɫk/ (US) · /bˈʌlk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bulk
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the majority

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the largest part of something.

For teachers: the greater part or majority of a whole.

- The bulk of the work was finished by noon, so we took a long break.
- The bulk of the research funding was allocated to renewable energy projects, leaving little for traditional fossil fuel studies.

Usage: Usually follows the pattern 'the bulk of [something]'.

### 3. muscle mass

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

extra body weight, especially from building muscle.

For teachers: increased body mass, specifically muscle tissue developed through strength training and diet.

- He started eating more protein to add some bulk to his frame.
- The athlete focused on adding functional bulk during the off-season to improve his performance in contact situations.

### 4. large quantities

adjective · CEFR B2

bought or sold in large amounts, often at a lower price.

For teachers: relating to goods bought, sold, or transported in large quantities and not in separate packages.

- It is usually cheaper to buy rice in bulk bags rather than small boxes.
- The company specialises in bulk shipments of raw minerals to industrial manufacturing plants across the continent.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'in bulk'.

## Examples

- The bulk of the work is already finished.
- The bulk of the budget goes toward staff salaries, leaving very little for new equipment.
- While the introduction provides some context, the bulk of the dissertation focuses on the statistical analysis of the survey results collected over the last three years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.