billbill1 /bɪl/ noun [countableC]1ACCOUNTINGa list showing how much you have to pay for services or goods receivedSYN INVOICEbig companies that fail to settle their bills with smaller businesses on time
The government will no longer foot the bill (=pay the bill) if banks run into difficulty.
bill forThe average bill for electricity is £270 a year.
→ due bill → past due bill → wage bill2British EnglishBrE a list showing how much you have to pay for food you have eaten in a restaurantSYN AmE checkWe finished coffee and asked for the bill.
3LAW a written proposal for a new lawThe wording of the bill was vague.
Democrats met earlier this month to draft (=write) a new tax bill.
The senate haspassed a bill (=voted for one and made it law) to reform the social security system.
→ see also Finance Bill 4BANKING American EnglishAmE a BANKNOTEA dollar bill costs 3.2 cents to produce.
→ Treasury bill