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

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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In “Tombstone,” Kilmer more than held his own against industry vets like Sam Elliott, Kurt Russell and Bill Paxton, earning his top billing and becoming commercially viable in the eyes of Hollywood producers.

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Related Words

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