Billing: meaning, definitions and examples

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billing

 

[ ˈbɪlɪŋ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

payment

The process of sending out invoices and receiving payments for goods or services provided.

Synonyms

accounting, charging, invoicing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
billing

Typically used in contexts involving the issuance of bills or invoices for goods or services. Often seen in customer service or business environments.

  • The billing department will send you an invoice at the end of the month
  • We need to update our billing information to the new address
invoicing

Focused on the process of creating and sending invoices to request payment from customers or clients. It is commonly used in business and commerce.

  • Invoicing is done on the first day of each month
  • The company uses special software for invoicing clients
charging

Often related to applying a fee or cost to a service, activity, or product. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

  • The hotel is charging an extra fee for late check-out
  • They are charging $15 for parking at the event
accounting

Refers to the systematic process of recording, analyzing, and managing financial transactions. Used in professional settings related to finance, businesses, and organizations.

  • She works in the accounting department of a multinational corporation
  • Accurate accounting is crucial for preparing the annual financial statements

Examples of usage

  • The billing department is responsible for issuing invoices to customers.
  • Please contact our billing team if you have any questions about your invoice.
Context #2 | Noun

telecommunications

The activity of calculating the total cost of calls or other services provided by a telecommunications company to a customer.

Synonyms

accounting, charging, invoicing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
billing

Use when referring to the overall process of preparing invoices and dealing with the process of payment collection in a business setting.

  • Our billing department will send you the invoice by the end of the day.
  • She's responsible for managing the company's billing system.
charging

Used when describing the act of imposing a fee or cost on a customer for a product or service, often in a retail or service context. It can sometimes have a negative connotation if used in the context of high or unexpected fees.

  • We will be charging you an extra $5 for late payment.
  • The store is charging $10 for delivery.
accounting

Applicable when discussing the broader scope of financial record-keeping, reporting, and analysis in an organization. It's a more general term than billing.

  • He studied accounting in college.
  • The accounting team is preparing the annual financial report.
invoicing

Specifically refers to the act of creating or sending invoices. It's often used in a more direct manner compared to 'billing'.

  • The invoicing process has become more efficient with the new software.
  • I'll be invoicing the client at the end of the month.

Examples of usage

  • The billing for international calls is usually higher than for local calls.
  • The billing cycle for this mobile plan is monthly.
Context #3 | Verb

invoicing

To send an invoice to a customer requesting payment for goods or services provided.

Synonyms

account, charge, invoice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
billing

Use when referring to the process of creating and sending bills to customers.

  • The billing department is responsible for generating monthly invoices.
  • She oversees all billing activities at the company.
charge

Refers to the amount of money demanded for goods or services, or to the act of demanding payment.

  • There is a charge for late payments.
  • They decided to charge extra for shipping.
invoice

Specific to a document detailing a transaction and the amount owed by the customer.

  • The company sent an invoice for the completed project.
  • Please review the attached invoice for your records.
account

Best used to refer to a record of financial transactions or a customer relationship with a business.

  • I need to check my account balance.
  • He opened a new account with the bank.

Examples of usage

  • We will be billing you for the consulting services we provided last month.
  • The company bills its clients on a monthly basis.

Translations

Translations of the word "billing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 faturamento

🇮🇳 बिलिंग

🇩🇪 Abrechnung

🇮🇩 penagihan

🇺🇦 виставлення рахунків

🇵🇱 fakturowanie

🇯🇵 請求

🇫🇷 facturation

🇪🇸 facturación

🇹🇷 faturalandırma

🇰🇷 청구

🇸🇦 الفوترة

🇨🇿 fakturace

🇸🇰 fakturácia

🇨🇳 计费

🇸🇮 fakturiranje

🇮🇸 færslur

🇰🇿 шот-фактура жасау

🇬🇪 ანგარიშსწორება

🇦🇿 faturalandırma

🇲🇽 facturación

Etymology

The word 'billing' originated from the Middle English word 'billen', meaning 'to offer or send a bill'. It has been used in the context of commerce and accounting since the 15th century. Over time, 'billing' has become widely associated with invoicing and payment processes in various industries.

See also: bill, billable, billboard, billow, bills.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,506, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.