(usually followed by "to") To have a reasonable claim; to seem likely.

A cost estimate, or a proposal to buy something, the value of which is kept secret from competitors until all such bids have been made.

(finance) A price offered by a buyer/bidder when he or she buys a good.

(finance) A type of bid at an auction which is made by the auctioneer on behalf of the vendor, without any desire to buy the article. This is used as a tactic to keep the bids moving, or to persuade buyers to pay more, or merely to have a higher price to report if the property is passed in. Such a bid is in essence a fiction; if not clearly announced as such, it approaches the deliberate deception of a dummy bid.

(business) A bid made at an auction, by a dummy bidder acting in collusion with the auctioneer or vendor, designed to deceive genuine bidders into paying more.

A bid at an auction placed by the auctioneer on behalf of a bidder not present in the room up to a pre-agreed maximum.

A small boathook.

(US, slang) A worthless bid; a bid for a contract which the bidder is unable or unwilling to fulfill.

(archaic, Catholicism) To pray with beads, in Roman Catholic fashion, distinguishing each bead by a prayer.

(bridge) A box holding cards with calls printed on them, allowing a player to bid without speaking.