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A written statement of money owed for goods or services.
She paid the electricity bill at the post office.
She settled the monthly charge for electricity.
The hotel sent us the final bill after our stay.
The hotel provided the detailed charges for our accommodation.
A draft of a proposed law presented to a legislature for discussion.
The senator introduced a new bill to protect the environment.
The senator presented a proposed law for environmental protection.
Congress debated the healthcare bill for months.
Congress discussed the proposed healthcare legislation extensively.
A banknote; a piece of paper money.
He pulled out a ten-dollar bill to pay for the coffee.
He used a ten-dollar banknote to purchase the coffee.
To present a bill for payment; to invoice.
The company will bill us next month for the software subscription.
The company will send an invoice for the software subscription next month.
They billed the client for the extra hours worked.
They charged the client for the additional hours.
In business contexts, 'invoice' is typically more detailed and formal, while 'bill' can be simpler. 'Bill' is also used for legislative documents, whereas 'invoice' is strictly financial.
In American English, 'bill' refers to the document listing charges (e.g., restaurant bill), while 'check' is the document used to pay (e.g., write a check). In British English, 'bill' serves both purposes.
From Middle English *bille*, from Anglo-Norman *bille*, from Old French *bille* ("writing, document"), from Late Latin *bulla* ("seal, sealed document"), from Latin *bulla* ("bubble, seal"). The financial sense emerged in the 15th century, while the legislative sense dates to the 18th century.
In American English, 'bill' often refers to paper money (e.g., a five-dollar bill), while British English may use 'note' for this sense. The verb 'to bill' can mean both to send an invoice and to charge someone for a service.