bill

1 /bIl/ noun (C)

1 PAYMENT

a) a written list showing how much you have to pay for services you have received, work that has been done etc

(+ for): The bill for the repairs came to $650. | pay/settle a bill: Have you paid the phone bill?

b) BrE a list showing how much you have to pay for food you have eaten in a restaurant; check 2 (7) AmE: Could we have the bill, please?

2 LAW a written proposal for a new law, which is brought to a parliament so that it can be discussed: a debate in Congress on the President's new transportation bill

3 MONEY AmE a piece of paper money; note 1 (5) BrE: a five-dollar bill

4 fill the bill/fit the bill to be exactly what you need: This car fits the bill perfectly. It's cheap and gets good mileage.

5 CONCERT/SHOW ETC a programme of entertainment at a theatre, concert, cinema etc, with details of who is performing, what is being shown etc: top the bill (=be the most important performer) | a double bill (=a show in two parts): a great double bill with two classic horror movies

6 ADVERTISEMENT a printed notice advertising an event

7 give sb/sth a clean bill of health to officially state that someone is in good health or that something is working correctly: Safety inspectors gave all the rides a clean bill of health.

8 BIRD a bird's beak

9 the old bill/the bill BrE spoken the police

2 verb (T)

1 be billed as to be advertised or generally described in a particular way: The election was billed as the make-or-break point for the Liberals.

2 be billed to play/appear etc if someone is billed to perform somewhere, it has been advertised that they will perform there: He was billed to play three successive concerts.

3 to send someone a bill: Clients will be billed monthly.

4 bill and coo literary or humorous if two lovers are billing and cooing, they are kissing and talking softly