bill of health

noun phrase

1
: a certificate given to the ship's master at the time of leaving port that indicates the state of health of a ship's company and of a port with regard to infectious diseases
2
: a usually favorable report following an examination or investigation
gave the criticized textbook a clean bill of health

Examples of bill of health in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Alexandre Dujeux will have a much tougher time replicating that result against big brother PSG, who have close to a clean bill of health coming into this clash. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025 Just days before the April 12 spring game, Lyons was surprised with a clean bill of health — writ in orange and blue. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025 The eagle was released into the wild with a clean bill of health June 22. Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025 At the shelter, Dr. Mallory Cade looks over Rambo and gives him a clean bill of health. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bill of health

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bill of health was in 1644

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bill of health.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bill%20of%20health. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

bill of health

noun
: a duly authenticated certificate of the state of health of a ship's company and of a port with regard to infectious diseases that is given to the ship's master at the time of leaving the port
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