billionaire

noun

bil·​lion·​aire ˌbi(l)-yə-ˈner How to pronounce billionaire (audio)
ˈbi(l)-yə-ˌner
: 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.
That and billionaires’ bonuses concludes my list of winners. Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2025 David Ellison, son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison, is eager to run the company that boasts the Melrose Avenue film studio, the Paramount+ streaming service, CBS and cable channels including Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET. Meg James Los Angeles Times, arkansasonline.com, 3 July 2025 Or look at Jeff Bezos, celebrity groom and billionaire owner of the Washington Post, currying favor with Trump after — just a coincidence, no doubt — killing an editorial in 2024 endorsing Kamala Harris for president. Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025 Her father, the editor of a liberal intellectual magazine, seems constantly distracted by his efforts to court a billionaire to purchase it, while her stepmom is more focused on her son’s ADHD and the family’s rapidly dwindling bank account. Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for billionaire

Word History

Etymology

billion + -aire (as in millionaire)

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of billionaire was in 1844

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Billionaire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/billionaire. Accessed 8 Jul. 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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