billionaire

noun bil·lion·aire \ ˌbi(l)-yə-ˈner , ˈbi(l)-yə-ˌ \

|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

Definition of billionaire

: one whose wealth is estimated at a billion or more dollars, pounds, or other monetary units

See billionaire defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of billionaire from the Web

Arizona is one of three states where the billionaire’s NextGen Climate Action group pushed ballot initiatives for higher renewable energy standards.

— Washington Post, "Renewable energy push in sunny Arizona draws political fight," 6 July 2018
Until the billionaire hedge-fund manager fell into a slump.

— gregory zuckerman, WSJ, "‘This Is Unbelievable’: A Hedge Fund Star Dims, and Investors Flee," 4 July 2018
Two former pilots for Broad River Aviation Inc., the company that operates the jet used for National Beverage’s executive travel, have filed suit in Florida against the 82-year-old billionaire who has helmed the beverage brand juggernaut since 1985.

— brittany shoot, Fortune, "CEO Behind LaCroix Brand Accused of Inappropriately Touching Airplane Pilots," 3 July 2018
The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Mr. Gertler in December, raising questions about the underpricing of mining assets that were sold to companies with ties to the billionaire.

— New York Times, "Glencore’s Shares Drop After Justice Department Subpoena," 3 July 2018
The lien is among dozens filed in Harris County against the local billionaire’s company, adding up to more than $30.5 million, the Houston Business Journal reported.

— nancy sarnoff, Houston Chronicle, "Tilman Fertitta’s Landry’s slapped with $20M lien on Post Oak tower," 3 July 2018
How ironic that out of the 21 presidential wannabes in that last election cycle, only the billionaire New Yorker detected and tapped into that ferment.

— andrew malcolm, SFChronicle.com, "Is Donald Trump chief executive or executive producer?," 28 June 2018
David Garcia, a Democratic candidate for governor, held a fundraiser this week at the San Francisco home of Tom Steyer, the California billionaire who is spending part of his fortune to influence Arizona’s elections.

— richard ruelas, Arizona Republic, "AZ gubernatorial hopeful David Garcia holds fundraiser at Tom Steyer's San Francisco home," 27 June 2018
Two years ago, the billionaire paid $13 million for a modernist home in Palm Springs that was designed and built by architect John Lautner for Hope and his wife, Dolores.

— neal j. leitereg, The Seattle Times, "It’s a Bob Hope double feature for L.A. homebuyer," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'billionaire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.