billion
|bil/lion|
B1
/ˈbɪljən/
large number
Etymology
Etymology Information
'billion' originates from French, specifically the word 'billion,' where 'bi-' meant 'two' and '-llion' was derived from 'million.'
Historical Evolution
'billion' changed from the French word 'billion' and eventually became the modern English word 'billion.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a million million,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of '1,000 million' in the US and modern British usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a number equal to 1,000 million in the US and modern British usage.
The company made a profit of over a billion dollars last year.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35