top billing

noun

Theater.

1. the first or most prominent position in a list of actors or entertainers, as on a marquee or screen.

Word History and Origins

Origin of top billing¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

The baseballs got top billing in the wide-ranging auction that included 579 items, but a Lou Gehrig game-worn jersey sold for well more than the three balls combined.

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But in “Shucked,” the hilarious countrified musical that brought “Hee Haw”-style comedy in a modern guise to Broadway, corn finally gets top billing.

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While her claims failed to gain top billing on any of Fox News’ programming, Gabbard appeared on at least two Fox shows on Wednesday to tout her claims.

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Smith was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. at the time, two spots ahead of his pal, yet the wildly popular Ashe always got top billing.

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But I want to stress that “Good Night, and Good Luck” is no vanity exercise and that a movie star’s top billing on Broadway is not necessarily a sign of a broken system.

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Related Words

• celebrity 
• eminence 
• fame 
• greatness 
• importance 
• prestige 
• renown 
• reputation 
• standing