bill

[ bil ]

/ bɪl /

noun

a statement of money owed for goods or services supplied: He paid the hotel bill when he checked out.

a piece of paper money worth a specified amount: a ten-dollar bill.

Government. a form or draft of a proposed statute presented to a legislature, but not yet enacted or passed and made law.

bill of exchange.

a written or printed public notice or advertisement.

any written paper containing a statement of particulars: a bill of expenditures.

Law. a written statement, usually of complaint, presented to a court.

Slang. one hundred dollars: The job pays five bills a week.

playbill.

entertainment scheduled for presentation; program: a good bill at the movies.

Obsolete.

a promissory note.
a written and sealed document.
a written, formal petition.

verb (used with object)

to charge for by bill; send a bill to: The store will bill me.

to enter (charges) in a bill; make a bill or list of: to bill goods.

to advertise by bill or public notice: A new actor was billed for this week.

to schedule on a program: The management billed the play for two weeks.

Idioms for bill

fill the bill, to fulfill the purpose or need well: As a sprightly situation comedy this show fills the bill.

Origin of bill

1300–50; Middle English bille < Anglo-French < Anglo-Latin billa for Late Latin bulla bull²

SYNONYMS FOR bill

1 reckoning, invoice, statement.

5 bulletin, handbill, poster, placard, announcement, circular, throwaway, flyer, broadside.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR bill ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM bill

bill·er, noun

Definition for bill (2 of 17)

bill ²

[ bil ]

/ bɪl /

noun

the parts of a bird's jaws that are covered with a horny or leathery sheath; beak.

the visor of a cap or other head covering.

a beaklike promontory or headland.

verb (used without object)

to join bills or beaks, as doves.

Origin of bill

before 1000; Middle English bile, bille, Old English bile beak, trunk; akin to bill³

Definition for bill (3 of 17)

bill ³

[ bil ]

/ bɪl /

noun

a medieval shafted weapon having at its head a hooklike cutting blade with a beak at the back.

Also called billman. a person armed with a bill.

Also called billhook. a sharp, hooked instrument used for pruning, cutting, etc.

Also called pea. Nautical. the extremity of a fluke of an anchor.

Origin of bill

before 1000; Middle English bil, Old English bill sword; cognate with Old High German bil pickax

Definition for bill (4 of 17)

bill ⁴

[ bil ]

/ bɪl /

noun British Dialect.

the cry of the bittern.

Origin of bill

⁴

First recorded in 1780–90; akin to bell², bellow

Definition for bill (5 of 17)

Bill

[ bil ]

/ bɪl /

noun

a male given name, form of William.

Definition for bill (6 of 17)

Haley

[ hey-lee ]

/ ˈheɪ li /

noun

Alex,1921–92, U.S. writer.

William John CliftonBill,1925–81, U.S. musician: rockabilly pioneer.

Definition for bill (7 of 17)

Hartack

[ hahr-tak ]

/ ˈhɑr tæk /

noun

William John, Jr.Bill,1932–2007, U.S. jockey.

Definition for bill (8 of 17)

Mauldin

[ mawl-duh n ]

/ ˈmɔl dən /

noun

William HenryBill,1921–2003, U.S. political cartoonist.

Definition for bill (9 of 17)

Monroe

[ muh n-roh ]

/ mənˈroʊ /

noun

Harriet,1861?–1936, U.S. editor and poet.

James,1758–1831, 5th president of the U.S. 1817–25.

MarilynNorma Jean Baker or Mortenson,1926–62, U.S. film actress.

William SmithBillThe Father of Bluegrass,1911–96, U.S. musician, singer, and songwriter.

a city in N Louisiana.

a city in SE Michigan, on Lake Erie.

a town in SW Connecticut.

a city in S North Carolina.

a town in S Wisconsin.

Fort. Fort Monroe.

a male given name.

Definition for bill (10 of 17)

Rodgers

[ roj-erz ]

/ ˈrɒdʒ ərz /

noun

James CharlesJimmie,1897–1933, U.S. country-and-western singer, guitarist, and composer.

Richard,1902–79, U.S. composer of popular music.

William HenryBill,born 1947, U.S. distance runner.

Definition for bill (11 of 17)

Russell

[ ruhs-uh l ]

/ ˈrʌs əl /

noun

Bertrand (Arthur William), 3rd Earl,1872–1970, English philosopher, mathematician, and author: Nobel Prize in literature 1950.

Charles Edward,1860–1941, U.S. journalist, sociologist, biographer, and political leader.

Charles Taze

[teyz] /teɪz/, Pastor Russell,1852–1916, U.S. religious leader and publisher: founder of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Elizabeth Mary, CountessMary Annette BeauchampElizabeth,1866–1941, Australian novelist.

George WilliamÆ,1867–1935, Irish poet and painter.

Henry Norris,1877–1957, U.S. astronomer.

John Russell, 1st EarlLord John Russell,1792–1878, British statesman: prime minister 1846–52, 1865–66.

LillianHelen Louise Leonard,1861–1922, U.S. singer and actress.

William Fel·ton

[fel-tn] /ˈfɛl tn/, Bill,born 1934, U.S. basketball player and coach.

Mount, a mountain in E California, in the Sierra Nevada. 14,088 feet (4294 meters).

a mountain in S central Alaska, in the Alaska Range. 11,670 feet (3557 meters).

a male given name.

Definition for bill (12 of 17)

Terry

[ ter-ee ]

/ ˈtɛr i /

noun

Clark,1920–2015, U.S. jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player and singer.

Ellen (Alicia or Alice),1848?–1928, English actress.

MeganMarguerite Duffy,born 1932, U.S. playwright and feminist.

WilliamBillMemphis Bill,1898–1989, U.S. baseball player.

a male given name, form of Terrence or Theodore.

a female given name, form of Theresa.

Definition for bill (13 of 17)

Clinton

[ klin-tn ]

/ ˈklɪn tn /

noun

De Witt

[duh wit] /də ˈwɪt/,1769–1828, U.S. political leader and statesman: governor of New York 1817–21, 1825–28 (son of James Clinton).

George,1739–1812, governor of New York 1777–95, 1801–04: vice president of the U.S. 1805–12.

Sir Henry,1738?–95, commander in chief of the British forces in the American Revolutionary War.

Hillary (Rodham),born 1947, U.S. politician: senator from New York 2001–2009; secretary of state 2009–2013 (wife of William J. Clinton).

James,1733–1812, American general in the Revolutionary War (brother of George Clinton).

William J(efferson)Bill,born 1946, 42nd president of the U.S. 1993–2001.

a city in E Iowa, on the Mississippi River.

a city in central Maryland.

a town in W Mississippi.

a city in central Massachusetts.

a town in S Connecticut.

a male given name.

Definition for bill (14 of 17)

Cosby

[ kawz-bee, koz‐ ]

/ ˈkɔz bi, ˈkɒz‐ /

noun

William HenryBill,born 1937, U.S. comedian and actor.

Definition for bill (15 of 17)

Dickey

[ dik-ee ]

/ ˈdɪk i /

noun

James,1923–97, U.S. poet and novelist.

WilliamBill,1907–93, U.S. baseball player.

Definition for bill (16 of 17)

Evans

[ ev-uh nz ]

/ ˈɛv ənz /

noun

Sir Arthur John,1851–1941, English archaeologist.

Dame Edith,1888–1976, English actress.

Herbert Mc·Lean

[muh-kleyn] /məˈkleɪn/,1882–1971, U.S. embryologist and anatomist.

Janet,born 1971, U.S. swimmer.

Mary Ann. Eliot, George.

Maurice,1901–1989, U.S. actor and producer, born in England.

Oliver,1755–1819, U.S. inventor: constructed the first high-pressure steam engine in the U.S. 1801?.

Rob·ley Dun·gli·son

[rob-lee duhng-gluh-suh n] /ˈrɒb li ˈdʌŋ glə sən/, Fighting Bob,1846–1912, U.S. admiral.

Ru·dulph

[roo-duhlf] /ˈru dʌlf/,1878–1960, U.S. sculptor.

Walker,1903–75, U.S. photographer.

William JohnBill,1929–80, U.S. jazz pianist.

Mount, a mountain in N central Colorado, in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. 14,264 feet (4348 meters).

Definition for bill (17 of 17)

Gates

[ geyts ]

/ geɪts /

noun

Horatio,1728–1806, American Revolutionary general, born in England.

WilliamBill,born 1956, U.S. entrepreneur.

Example sentences from the Web for bill

“Someone is determined to keep Bill Cosby off TV,” she continued.

Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers |Stereo Williams |January 8, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
True, this may not be what James Madison had in mind when he was writing the Bill of Rights.

Why We Stand With Charlie Hebdo—And You Should Too |John Avlon |January 8, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
But at the heart of this “Truther” conspiracy theory is the idea that “someone” wants to destroy Bill Cosby.

Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers |Stereo Williams |January 8, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
She fails to appreciate the congressional and constitutional obstacles Johnson had to overcome to win passage of the bill.

Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’ |Gary May |January 2, 2015 |DAILY BEAST

That is the difference between the protections embedded in our Bill of Rights and the lived lives of our citizenry.

What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face? |Goldie Taylor |December 30, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
After a great deal of trouble and persuasion, I prevailed upon Mr. F. Crockford to undertake it, and we made out the bill of fare.

Soyer's Culinary Campaign |Alexis Soyer
Bill was anxious to get back to poor Jack, who he remembered was well-nigh starving.

From Powder Monkey to Admiral |W.H.G. Kingston
The question was put for engrossing the bill for a third reading, and carried, there being fifty votes in favor of it.

Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. II (of 16) |Thomas Hart Benton
Burr, in committee, frankly declared that the surplus was to establish a bank, and Governor Jay signed the bill.

The Life of John Marshall Volume 3 of 4 |Albert J. Beveridge
And with great composure the Corporal drew out a well-filled purse, and discharged the bill.

Eugene Aram, Complete |Edward Bulwer-Lytton

British Dictionary definitions for bill (1 of 13)

bill ¹

/ (bɪl) /

noun

money owed for goods or services supplied an electricity bill

a written or printed account or statement of money owed

mainly British such an account for food and drink in a restaurant, hotel, etc Usual US and Canadian word: check

any printed or written list of items, events, etc, such as a theatre programme who's on the bill tonight?

fit the bill or fill the bill informal to serve or perform adequately

a statute in draft, before it becomes law

a printed notice or advertisement; poster

US and Canadian a piece of paper money; note

an obsolete name for promissory note

law See bill of indictment

See bill of exchange

See bill of fare

archaic any document

verb (tr)

to send or present an account for payment to (a person)

to enter (items, goods, etc) on an account or statement

to advertise by posters

to schedule as a future programme the play is billed for next week

Word Origin for bill

C14: from Anglo-Latin billa, alteration of Late Latin bulla document, bull ³

British Dictionary definitions for bill (2 of 13)

bill ²

/ (bɪl) /

noun

the mouthpart of a bird, consisting of projecting jaws covered with a horny sheath; beak. It varies in shape and size according to the type of food eaten and may also be used as a weapon

any beaklike mouthpart in other animals

a narrow promontory Portland Bill

nautical the pointed tip of the fluke of an anchor

verb (intr)

(of birds, esp doves) to touch bills together

(of lovers) to kiss and whisper amorously

Word Origin for bill

Old English bile; related to bill bill ³

British Dictionary definitions for bill (3 of 13)

bill ³

/ (bɪl) /

noun

a pike or halberd with a narrow hooked blade

short for billhook

Word Origin for bill

Old English bill sword, related to Old Norse bīldr instrument used in blood-letting, Old High German bil pickaxe

British Dictionary definitions for bill (4 of 13)

bill ⁴

/ (bɪl) /

noun

ornithol another word for boom 1 (def. 4)

Word Origin for bill

C18: from dialect beel bell ² (vb)

British Dictionary definitions for bill (5 of 13)

Clinton

/ (ˈklɪntən) /

noun

Bill, full name William Jefferson Clinton . born 1946, US Democrat politician; 42nd president of the US (1993–2001)

his wife, Hillary Rodham. born 1947, US Democrat politician and lawyer: first lady (1993–2001); senator (2001–09); secretary of state (2009–13)

British Dictionary definitions for bill (6 of 13)

Evans

/ (ˈɛvənz) /

noun

Sir Arthur (John). 1851–1941, British archaeologist, whose excavations of the palace of Knossos in Crete provided evidence for the existence of the Minoan civilization

Dame Edith (Mary Booth). 1888–1976, British actress

Sir Geraint (Llewellyn). 1922–92, Welsh operatic baritone

Herbert McLean. 1882–1971, US anatomist and embryologist; discoverer of vitamin E (1922)

Mary Ann. real name of (George) Eliot (def. 1)

Oliver. 1755–1819, US engineer: invented the continuous production line and a high-pressure steam engine

Walker. 1903–75, US photographer, noted esp for his studies of rural poverty in the Great Depression

British Dictionary definitions for bill (7 of 13)

Gates

/ (ɡeɪts) /

noun

Bill, full name William Henry Gates. born 1955, US computer-software executive and philanthropist; founder (1976) of Microsoft Corporation

Henry Louis. born 1950, US scholar and critic, who pioneered African-American studies in such works as Figures in Black (1987)

Horatio. ?1728–1806, American Revolutionary general: defeated the British at Saratoga (1777)

British Dictionary definitions for bill (8 of 13)

Haley

/ (ˈheɪlɪ) /

noun

Bill, full name William John Clifton Haley. 1925–81, US rock and roll singer, best known for his recording of "Rock Around the Clock" (1955)

British Dictionary definitions for bill (9 of 13)

Monroe

/ (mənˈrəʊ) /

noun

James. 1758–1831, US statesman; fifth president of the US (1817–25). He promulgated the Monroe Doctrine (1823)

Marilyn, born Norma Jeane Mortenson. later Norma Jeane Baker, sometimes spelled Norma Jean, 1926–62, US film actress. Her films include Niagara (1952), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), and Some Like It Hot (1959)

British Dictionary definitions for bill (10 of 13)

Rodgers

/ (ˈrɒdʒəz) /

noun

Richard . 1902–79, US composer of musical comedies. He collaborated with the librettist Lorenz Hart on such musicals as A Connecticut Yankee (1927), On Your Toes (1936), and Pal Joey (1940). After Hart's death his librettist was Oscar Hammerstein II. Two of their musicals, Oklahoma! (1943) and South Pacific (1949), received the Pulitzer Prize

British Dictionary definitions for bill (11 of 13)

terry

/ (ˈtɛrɪ) /

noun plural -ries

an uncut loop in the pile of towelling or a similar fabric

a fabric with such a pile on both sides
(as modifier)a terry towel

Word Origin for terry

C18: perhaps variant of terret

British Dictionary definitions for bill (12 of 13)

Terry

/ (ˈtɛrɪ) /

noun

Dame Ellen. 1847–1928, British actress, noted for her Shakespearean roles opposite Sir Henry Irving and for her correspondence with George Bernard Shaw

(John) Quinlan (ˈkwɪnlən). born 1937, British architect, noted for his works in neoclassical style, such as the Richmond riverside project (1984)

British Dictionary definitions for bill (13 of 13)

Russell

/ (ˈrʌsəl) /

noun

Bertrand (Arthur William), 3rd Earl. 1872–1970, British philosopher and mathematician. His books include Principles of Mathematics (1903), Principia Mathematica (1910–13) with A. N. Whitehead, Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy (1919), The Problems of Philosophy (1912), The Analysis of Mind (1921), and An Enquiry into Meaning and Truth (1940): Nobel prize for literature 1950

George William pen name æ . 1867–1935, Irish poet and journalist

Henry Norris . 1877–1957, US astronomer and astrophysicist, who originated one form of the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram

John, 1st Earl. 1792–1878, British statesman; prime minister (1846–52; 1865–66). He led the campaign to carry the 1832 Reform Act

Ken . 1927–2011, British film director. His films include Women in Love (1969), The Music Lovers (1970), The Boy Friend (1971), Valentino (1977), Gothic (1986), and The Rainbow (1989)

Medical definitions for bill

Evans

[ ĕv′ənz ]

Herbert McLean 1882-1971

American anatomist who isolated four pituitary hormones and discovered vitamin E (1922).

Scientific definitions for bill (1 of 2)

Evans

[ ĕv′ənz ]

Herbert McLean 1882-1971

American biologist who discovered vitamin E in 1922 and conducted research that led to the discovery of the growth hormone in the pituitary gland.

Scientific definitions for bill (2 of 2)

Russell

[ rŭs′əl ]

Henry Norris 1877-1957

American astronomer who studied binary stars and developed methods to calculate their mass and distances. Working independently of Ejnar Hertzsprung, Russell also demonstrated the relationship between types of stars and their absolute magnitude. This correlation is now known as the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

Idioms and Phrases with bill

bill

see clean bill of health; fill the bill; foot the bill; sell a bill of goods.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

bill

noun

verb (used with object)

Idioms for bill

Origin of bill

SYNONYMS FOR bill

OTHER WORDS FROM bill

Definition for bill (2 of 17)

noun

verb (used without object)

Origin of bill

Definition for bill (3 of 17)

noun

Origin of bill

Definition for bill (4 of 17)

noun British Dialect.

Origin of bill

Definition for bill (5 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (6 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (7 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (8 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (9 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (10 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (11 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (12 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (13 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (14 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (15 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (16 of 17)

noun

Definition for bill (17 of 17)

noun

Words related to bill

Example sentences from the Web for bill

British Dictionary definitions for bill (1 of 13)

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for bill

British Dictionary definitions for bill (2 of 13)

noun

verb (intr)

Word Origin for bill

British Dictionary definitions for bill (3 of 13)

noun

Word Origin for bill

British Dictionary definitions for bill (4 of 13)

noun

Word Origin for bill

British Dictionary definitions for bill (5 of 13)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for bill (6 of 13)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for bill (7 of 13)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for bill (8 of 13)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for bill (9 of 13)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for bill (10 of 13)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for bill (11 of 13)

noun plural -ries

Word Origin for terry

British Dictionary definitions for bill (12 of 13)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for bill (13 of 13)

noun