Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps


Noun: billion  bil-yun [N. Amer], bi-lee-(y)un [Brit]
  1. The number that is represented as a one followed by 9 zeros
    - one thousand million, 1000000000
     
  2. [Brit, archaic] The number that is represented as a one followed by 12 zeros; in the United Kingdom the usage followed is frequently seen
    - one million million [Brit], 1000000000000 [Brit]
     
  3. [informal] A very large indefinite number (usually hyperbole)
    "there were billions of flies";
    - million [informal], trillion [informal], zillion [informal], jillion [N. Amer, informal], gazillion [informal], bazillion [N. Amer, informal], bajillion [informal], squillion [informal]
Adjective: billion  bil-yun [N. Amer], bi-lee-(y)un [Brit]
  1. Denoting a quantity consisting of one thousand million items or units
     
  2. [Brit, archaic] Denoting a quantity consisting of one million million items or units

Derived forms: billions

See also: cardinal

Type of: large indefinite amount, large indefinite quantity, large integer

Encyclopedia: Billion