BULK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does bulk mean? 

• BULK (noun)
  The noun BULK has 3 senses:

1. the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

2. the property of something that is great in magnitude

3. the property possessed by a large mass

  Familiarity information: BULK used as a noun is uncommon.

• BULK (verb)
  The verb BULK has 2 senses:

1. stick out or up

2. cause to bulge or swell outwards

  Familiarity information: BULK used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BULK (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

bulk; majority

Context example:

the bulk of the work is finished

Hypernyms ("bulk" is a kind of...):

figure; number (the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals)

Attribute:

major (greater in number or size or amount)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The property of something that is great in magnitude

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

bulk; mass; volume

Context example:

the volume of exports

Hypernyms ("bulk" is a kind of...):

magnitude (the property of relative size or extent (whether large or small))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "bulk"):

dollar volume; turnover (the volume measured in dollars)

Derivation:

bulky (of large size for its weight)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The property possessed by a large mass

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("bulk" is a kind of...):

mass (the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field)

Derivation:

bulky (of large size for its weight)

• BULK (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they bulk    ... he / she / it bulks   
Past simple: bulked   
Past participle: bulked   
-ing form: bulking   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Stick out or up

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

The parcel bulked in the sack

Hypernyms (to "bulk" is one way to...):

bulge; pouch; protrude (swell or protrude outwards)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Cause to bulge or swell outwards

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

bulge; bulk

Hypernyms (to "bulk" is one way to...):

swell (cause to become swollen)

Cause:

bulge; pouch; protrude (swell or protrude outwards)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

 Context examples 

An extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that arises from the esophagus with the bulk of the mass located in the esophagus.

(Esophageal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, NCI Thesaurus)

A drug (other than the bulk ingredient API) that is in an interim stage of manufacture, processing, preparation, or packaging, and not ready for human or animal use.

(Drug for Further Processing, NCI Thesaurus)

Dietary fiber adds bulk to your diet and makes you feel full faster, helping you control your weight.

(Dietary Fiber, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

A compounder produces a drug with bulk ingredients.

(Compounding from Bulk Ingredient, NCI Thesaurus)

An extranodal lymphoma that arises from the esophagus with the bulk of the mass located in the esophagus.

(Esophageal Lymphoma, NCI Thesaurus)

An extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue that arises from the esophagus with the bulk of the mass located in the esophagus.

(Esophageal Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma, NCI Thesaurus)

A lymphoma that arises from the gallbladder, with the bulk of the tumor located at this site.

(Gallbladder Lymphoma, NCI Thesaurus)

A lymphoma that arises from the extrahepatic bile ducts, with the bulk of the disease located at this site.

(Extrahepatic Bile Duct Lymphoma, NCI Thesaurus)

An extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma that arises from the esophagus with the bulk of the mass located in the esophagus.

(Esophageal Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, NCI Thesaurus)

Cellulose cannot be digested by people, and is used to add bulk to the diet.

(Cellulose, NCI Dictionary)