bill

noun (1)

\ ˈbil

Definition of bill

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 biology : the jaws of a bird together with their horny covering a duck's bill

2 biology : a mouthpart (such as the beak of a turtle) that resembles a bird's bill

3 nautical : the point of an anchor fluke — see anchor illustration

4 : the visor (see visor sense 2a) of a cap or hood

bill

verb (1)

billed; billing; bills

Definition of bill (Entry 2 of 5)

intransitive verb

1 : to touch and rub bill to bill (see bill entry 1 sense 1) a pair of doves billing

2 : to caress affectionately billing and cooing

bill

noun (2)

Definition of bill (Entry 3 of 5)

1 : a weapon in use up to the 18th century that consists of a long staff ending in a hook-shaped blade

2 : billhook

bill

noun (3)

Definition of bill (Entry 4 of 5)

1 : an itemized list or a statement of particulars (such as a list of materials or of members of a ship's crew) a bill of quantities

2 : a written document or note

3 obsolete : a formal petition

4a : an itemized account of the separate cost of goods sold, services performed, or work done : invoice a bill of charges

b : an amount expended or owed paid the electricity bill

c : a statement of charges for food or drink : check asked the waiter to bring the bill

5a : a written or printed advertisement posted or otherwise distributed to announce an event of interest to the public The sign read "Post no bills." especially : an announcement of a theatrical entertainment Who is on the bill?

b : a programmed presentation (such as a motion picture, play, or concert) the opening of a new bill

6 government : a draft of a law presented to a legislature for enactment a bill set before Congress also : the law itself the GI bill

7 law : a declaration in writing stating a wrong a complainant has suffered from a defendant or stating a breach of law by some person a bill of complaint

8a : a piece of paper money a $20 bill

b : an individual or commercial note (see note entry 2 sense 3c(1)) bills receivable

c slang : one hundred dollars

fill the bill or fit the bill

: to be exactly what is needed : be suitable

bill

verb (2)

billed; billing; bills

Definition of bill (Entry 5 of 5)

transitive verb

1a : to enter in an accounting system : prepare a bill of (charges) billing each month's charges

b : to submit a bill (see bill entry 4 sense 4a) of charges to They bill their customers every month.

c : to enter (something, such as freight) in a waybill

d : to issue a bill of lading to or for

2 : to announce (something, such as a performance) especially by posters or placards Both writers are billed to appear at the conference.

3 : advertise, promote the book is billed as a "report"— P. G. Altbach

First Known Use of bill

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for bill

Noun (1) and Verb (1)

Middle English bile, from Old English; akin to Old English bill

Noun (2)

Middle English bil, from Old English bill sword; akin to Old High German bill pickax

Noun (3) and Verb (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French bille, from Medieval Latin billa, perhaps alteration of bulla, papal seal, bull — more at bull

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More Definitions for bill

bill

noun

\ ˈbil

Kids Definition of bill

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : the jaws of a bird together with their horny covering

2 : a part of an animal (as a turtle) that resembles the bill of a bird

bill

noun

Kids Definition of bill (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a draft of a law presented to a legislature for consideration The representative introduced a bill in Congress.

bill

Definition of bill

Illustration of bill

Other Words from bill

First Known Use of bill

History and Etymology for bill

Kids Definition of bill

bill

Definition of bill

Illustration of bill

Other Words from bill

First Known Use of bill

History and Etymology for bill

Kids Definition of bill

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