billion

American  

[bil-yuhn] / ˈbɪl yən /

noun

plural

billions,

plural

billion

1. a cardinal number represented in the U.S. by 1 followed by 9 zeros, and in Great Britain by 1 followed by 12 zeros.

2. a very large number.

   I've told you so billions of times.

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adjective

1. equal in number to a billion.

billion British  

/ ˈbɪljən /

noun

1. one thousand million: it is written as 1 000 000 000 or 10 ⁹

2. (formerly, in Britain) one million million: it is written as 1 000 000 000 000 or 10 ¹²

3. (often plural) any exceptionally large number

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determiner

1. (preceded by a or a cardinal number)

   1. amounting to a billion

      it seems like a billion years ago

   2. ( as pronoun )

      we have a billion here

Other Word Forms

• billionth adjective

Etymology

Origin of billion

1680–90; < French, equivalent to b ( i )- bi- ¹ + -illion, as in million

Compare meaning

How does billion compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• billion vs. trillion

Example Sentences

Some have estimated that rebuilding Venezuela’s oil industry could take $100 billion in investments over the next decade, with no guarantees of security or success.

From MarketWatch

Some have estimated that rebuilding Venezuela’s oil industry could take $100 billion in investments over the next decade, with no guarantees of security or success.

From MarketWatch

China’s national champion in memory-chip manufacturing is preparing a $4 billion share offering after making significant technical advances, upending an industry dominated by South Korean and U.S. companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Australia signed a new critical-minerals deal with the U.S. in October that it said will underpin pipeline of projects valued at roughly A$13 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said the oil industry needs $100 billion annually to restart, and progress depends on negotiations.

From Barron's