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Billion

//ˈbɪljən// num, slang

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    denoting a quantity consisting of one thousand million items or units in the United States wordnet
  2. 2
    denoting a quantity consisting of one million million items or units in Great Britain wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    the number that is represented as a one followed by 9 zeros wordnet
  2. 2
    the number that is represented as a one followed by 12 zeros; in the United Kingdom the usage followed in the United States is frequently seen wordnet
  3. 3
    a very large indefinite number (usually hyperbole) wordnet
Numeral
  1. 1
    Either of two large amounts:; a thousand million (logic: 1,000 × 1,000²): 1 followed by nine zeros, 10⁹. US

    "At the last assessment it [the national debt] amounts to seven billion pounds (£7,000,000,000)."

  2. 2
    Either of two large amounts:; A million (times a) million (logic: 1,000,000²): a 1 followed by twelve zeros (10¹²); a thousand milliard. dated

    "n = 1,000,000,000,000, that is, = a billion, or the square of a million"

  3. 3
    An unspecified very large number. colloquial, excessive

    "Near-synonyms: gazillion; see also Thesaurus:zillion"

Etymology

From French billion, equivalent to bi- (“two”) + -illion.

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