Bill
/bɪl/
Definitions
4 meaningsA written statement of account detailing goods or services supplied, usually with a demand for payment.
/bɪl/
A formal statement of a cost for goods or services.
The waiter brought the bill.
💡 Simply: A paper showing how much you owe for something.
More Examples
The electricity bill was unexpectedly high.
How It's Used
"The restaurant bill came to $100."
"I received my phone bill in the mail today."
A draft of a proposed law presented to a legislative body.
/bɪl/
A proposed law.
The Senate will debate the new immigration bill.
💡 Simply: A proposed new law.
More Examples
The bill passed both houses of Congress.
How It's Used
"The government introduced a new bill to parliament."
The beak of a bird.
/bɪl/
A beak of a bird.
The woodpecker's bill is strong and sharp.
💡 Simply: A bird's beak.
More Examples
The hummingbird's long bill helped it reach the nectar.
How It's Used
"The bird used its bill to crack open the seed."
To present a customer with an invoice or statement of account.
/bɪl/
To present a bill.
They billed me for the repairs.
💡 Simply: To give someone a bill to pay.
More Examples
The company billed us for the extra work.
How It's Used
"The waiter billed us for our meal."
From Middle English bille, from Old French bille "pointed instrument, beak," from Vulgar Latin *billa "bill, pointed instrument," of uncertain origin, possibly related to Latin bulla "bubble, seal."
The word 'bill' has a long history, with its origins tracing back to medieval times, evolving from the concept of a pointed instrument to a statement of account.
Memory tip
Think of a bird's beak - a bill is a pointed statement of costs.
Word Origin
"pointed instrument"