English Reference
noun · verb

billing

n. · v.
US /ˈbɪɫɪŋ/ UK /bˈɪlɪŋ/ billing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.the process of sending bills to customers for goods or services.

    n.the administrative act of preparing and issuing invoices for payment.

    Simple

    There was a mistake in the billing, so they charged me twice.

    In context

    The company transitioned to an automated billing system to reduce the frequency of clerical errors in their monthly statements.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier before another noun like 'department' or 'cycle'.

    invoicingcharging
  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal Theatre

    n.the position or importance of an actor's name on a poster or in a list of performers.

    n.the relative prominence or order in which a performer's name appears in advertisements or credits.

    Simple

    The famous actress received top billing on the movie poster.

    In context

    Negotiations for the revival of the play stalled when the lead actors could not agree on equal billing for the promotional campaign.

    Usage

    Commonly found in the phrase 'top billing', meaning the most prominent position.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    v.the act of asking someone for money for work you have done.

    v.the present participle of 'bill', referring to the ongoing action of charging a client.

    Simple

    The lawyer is billing us for every phone call he makes.

    In context

    By billing the client in smaller increments, the consultancy managed to maintain a more consistent cash flow throughout the fiscal year.

    invoicingcharging

The transfer gossip that typically gets top billing at this time of year has faded into the background of a medal parade.

The Guardian· 20 Aug 2026

But, naturally, those firms want to recoup their investment, so they offer paid-for versions of their AI, which have extra features for tasks like coding or billing.

BBC News· 11 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated