billing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to Neutral (Business/Administrative), Neutral (Entertainment context)
Quick answer
What does “billing” mean?
The process of preparing and sending invoices for goods or services provided.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of preparing and sending invoices for goods or services provided.
The position or prominence given to someone, especially in a show or advertisement (e.g., 'top billing'); also, the total amount charged on an invoice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both share core and entertainment meanings. The process itself is identical.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “billing” in a Sentence
[verb] + billing: handle billing, process billing, set up billing[adjective] + billing: shared billing, separate billing, itemised billing[preposition] + billing: for billing, in the billing, on the billingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “billing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The solicitor will bill the client for the consultancy.
American English
- The law firm billed the hours directly to the corporate account.
adjective
British English
- The billing period ends on the 25th of each month.
American English
- Please update your billing information in the online portal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The department handles all client billing on a quarterly basis.
Academic
The study analysed the impact of automated billing systems on customer satisfaction.
Everyday
I called to query a mistake on my mobile phone billing.
Technical
The API integrates with the platform's billing engine for real-time usage tracking.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “billing”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “billing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “billing”
- Using 'billing' as a verb (the verb is 'to bill').
- Confusing 'billing address' with 'shipping address'.
- Misspelling as 'biling'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Billing' is primarily a noun (e.g., 'the billing is incorrect'). The related verb is 'to bill' (e.g., 'we will bill you later').
A 'billing address' is the address associated with your payment method. A 'shipping address' is where you want the goods delivered. They are often the same but can differ.
It's an idiom from entertainment meaning the most prominent position or starring role, originally referring to whose name appears first on a poster or in credits.
Yes, informally it can refer to the total sum on an invoice, as in 'The billing came to over £500.'
The process of preparing and sending invoices for goods or services provided.
Billing is usually formal to neutral (business/administrative), neutral (entertainment context) in register.
Billing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɪl.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɪl.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “top billing”
- “second billing”
- “star billing”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DUCK BILL. A duck's bill is used to collect things. 'Billing' is the process a company uses to collect money.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION IS A DOCUMENT (the bill/invoice). PROMINENCE IS HEIGHT/ORDER (top billing).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, 'billing' most closely relates to: