Definition

1. Noun:

   • A bird's beak: The hard, projecting mouthparts of a bird.
   • The visor of a cap: A stiff brim at the front of a cap that shades the eyes.
   • A long-handled cutting tool: A tool with a curved blade and a long handle, used for pruning branches.
   • A list or program: A printed list of items, such as a menu or a theater program.
   • A public notice or advertisement: A sign or poster displayed publicly to advertise something.
   • A piece of paper currency: A banknote.
   • A statement of charges: An itemized list of money owed for goods or services received.
   • A draft of a proposed law: A written proposal for a new law presented to a legislature for discussion.

2. Verb:

   • To advertise or announce: To publicize someone or something, especially as a featured performer.
   • To send an invoice: To present a statement of charges to someone, demanding payment.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The duck used its bill to search for food in the mud.
  • He adjusted the bill of his baseball cap.
  • The gardener used a bill to cut the high branches.
  • Please check the bill of fare to see tonight's specials.
  • A bill for the concert was posted on the door.
  • She paid with a twenty-dollar bill.
  • The waiter brought the bill at the end of the meal.
  • The senator introduced a new bill in Congress.

• Verb:

  • The festival billed her as the headline act.
  • The hotel will bill you for any additional services.

Advanced Usage

• "To fit/fill the bill": To be suitable or adequate for a particular purpose or requirement.

  • We needed a versatile player, and her experience really fit the bill.

• "To foot the bill": To pay the cost for something.

  • His parents footed the bill for his university education.

Variants and Related Words

• Billboard (n): A large outdoor board for displaying advertisements.
• Billing (n): 1. The process of preparing and sending invoices. 2. The order in which performers' names are listed in publicity.
• Billable (adj): Able to be charged to a client, as in .

Synonyms

• Noun (beak): Beak, nib.
• Noun (invoice): Invoice, statement, account, tab.
• Noun (advertisement): Poster, placard, notice, advertisement.
• Noun (law): Draft law, proposal, act, legislation.
• Verb (advertise): Advertise, promote, announce, publicize.
• Verb (charge): Invoice, charge, send a statement.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bill for: To charge someone for something.
  • You will be billed for the repair next month.

Related Idioms

• A clean bill of health: A report or declaration that someone or something is in good condition or free from problems.
  • After the inspection, the restaurant received a clean bill of health.
• Top billing: The most prominent position in a list of performers or credits.
  • The famous actor got top billing in the movie.

Noun

1. horny projecting mouth of a bird
2. a brim that projects to the front to shade the eyes
   • he pulled down the bill of his cap and trudged ahead
3. a long-handled saw with a curved blade
   • he used a bill to prune branches off of the tree
4. a list of particulars (as a playbill or bill of fare)
5. a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement
   • a poster advertised the coming attractions
6. an advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution
   • he mailed the circular to all subscribers
7. the entertainment offered at a public presentation
8. a piece of paper money (especially one issued by a central bank)
   • he peeled off five one-thousand-zloty notes
9. an itemized statement of money owed for goods shipped or services rendered
   • he paid his bill and left
   • send me an account of what I owe
10. a statute in draft before it becomes law
    • they held a public hearing on the bill

Verb

1. publicize or announce by placards
2. advertise especially by posters or placards
   • He was billed as the greatest tenor since Caruso
3. demand payment
   • Will I get charged for this service?
   • We were billed for 4 nights in the hotel, although we stayed only 3 nights