Billion Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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billion
[ˈbɪljən ]
Definitions
large number
A billion is a number equal to one thousand million. It is often used in financial contexts to represent a very large sum of money or a large quantity of something.
Synonyms
1,000,000,000, thousand million.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| billion |
Commonly used in American and modern British English to denote the number 1,000,000,000. It is appropriate in scientific, financial, and general discussions when referring to large quantities or amounts.
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| thousand million |
Most commonly used in British English, especially older texts, to refer to 1,000,000,000. It is less common today.
|
| 1,000,000,000 |
Used in mathematical contexts or when emphasizing the numeric value explicitly, often in written form.
|
Examples of usage
- There are over seven billion people in the world.
- The company made a profit of one billion dollars last year.
British English
In British English, a billion traditionally means a million million, which is equivalent to a trillion in American English and other systems.
Synonyms
1,000,000,000,000, trillion.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| billion |
Used to denote a number equal to 1,000,000,000 (one thousand million). Commonly used in financial contexts, large datasets, and scientific measurements.
|
| trillion |
Used to denote a number equal to 1,000,000,000,000 (one million million). Often used in discussions involving national debt, large-scale economics, and astronomy.
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Examples of usage
- The British government uses the term billion to mean a million million.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Economics
- In 2020, the global economy was projected to hit a size of about 84 trillion dollars, with billions representing a significant portion of economic data and statistics.
- Billionaire status is typically defined as having a net worth of at least one billion dollars, a term made popular from the rise of wealthy individuals in the late 20th century.
Science
- In scientific notation, a billion is represented as 10^9, which helps scientists easily write large numbers when dealing with quantities like molecular structures.
- The observable universe is estimated to be around 93 billion light-years in diameter, showcasing the scale we deal with in astrophysics.
Pop Culture
- In movies, phrases such as 'a billion dollars' are frequently used to emphasize the wealth and power of characters in heist or spy films.
- The hit song 'Billionaire' by Travie McCoy features themes of wealth and aspiration, impacting popular conversations about money and success.
Environment
- It is estimated that billions of plastic bottles are used globally each year, raising concerns about environmental sustainability and pollution.
- The world's population is expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, amplifying discussions on resources and habitat sustainability.
Origin of 'billion'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'billion' comes from the French word 'billion', which was originally a combination of 'bi-' (meaning two) and 'illion', used in large number naming.
- Initially, 'billion' meant a million squared (1,000,000,000,000) in some countries, but it now universally means one thousand million.
The word 'billion' originated from French in the late 17th century, where it meant 'a million raised to the power of two'. It entered English in the early 18th century with the same meaning. Over time, the definition of billion has varied between different countries and systems, leading to differing interpretations of the term.
See also: billionaire.