Treasury bill

American  

Or treasury bill

noun

1. an obligation of the U.S. government represented by promissory notes in denominations ranging from $1000 to $1,000,000, with a maturity of about 90 days but bearing no interest, and sold periodically at a discount on the market.

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Treasury bill British  

noun

1. a short-term noninterest-bearing obligation issued by the Treasury, payable to bearer and maturing usually in three months, within which it is tradable on a discount basis on the open market

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Etymology

Origin of Treasury bill

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

He’s sitting on a whopping $358 billion in cash equivalents at a time when Treasury bill rates are falling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

If you still want exposure, size it like a lottery ticket, not a Treasury bill.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 8, 2025

Even the Treasury’s pivot toward heavier Treasury bill financing points to a world in which market structure, regulation, and innovation are quietly being marshaled to sustain an ever-larger debt load.

From Barron's • Nov. 7, 2025

Treasury bill holdings above 5%, while fewer car accidents and a quiet Atlantic hurricane season respectively bolstered the Geico car insurer and reinsurance businesses.

From Reuters • Nov. 4, 2023

The passage of the Independent Treasury bill has brought us fresh occasion of rejoicing and confidence.

From Quodlibet by Kennedy, John Pendleton