billionaire

noun

bil·​lion·​aire ˌbi(l)-yə-ˈner How to pronounce billionaire (audio)
ˈbi(l)-yə-ˌner
Synonyms of billionairenext
: one whose wealth is estimated at a billion or more dollars, pounds, or other monetary units

Examples of billionaire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pop singer and her crewmates got the chance to take a quick trip beyond Earth's atmosphere, complete with out-of-this-world views thanks to billionaire Jeff Bezos's private space company Blue Origin. Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 27 Dec. 2025 The Audacity will star Billy Magnussen and Zach Galifianakis, and revolve around everyone in the orbit of tech’s Disneyland, from the makers and dreamers to the billionaires and bosses. Lucy Ford, Time, 27 Dec. 2025 The Nebraska billionaire has a love for posing with mascots and items under the ownership of Berkshire’s ginormous umbrella, too, with the smiling faces of Buffett and his late right-hand man Charlie Munger on all sorts of quirky products for sale in the bazaar. Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025 Two years later, in 2025, the 51-year-old philanthropist was ranked at 1,265 on their list of all the country's billionaires, which put him well outside of the top 400 wealthiest individuals. Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for billionaire

Word History

Etymology

billion + -aire (as in millionaire)

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of billionaire was in 1841

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Cite this Entry

“Billionaire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/billionaire. Accessed 30 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

billionaire

noun
bil·​lion·​aire ˌbil-yə-ˈna(ə)r How to pronounce billionaire (audio)
-ˈne(ə)r;
ˈbil-yə-ˌna(ə)r
-ˌne(ə)r
: one whose wealth is a billion dollars or more

More from Merriam-Webster on billionaire

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