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.
America is blessed to have billionaire entrepreneurs who accomplish such things. — Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 Lowe, who has a longstanding feud with Farage, was forced out of the party last year and subsequently started his own, egged on by US billionaire businessman Elon Musk. — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 The Tunitas Creek Beach property was never put on the market or it may have been snapped up by a Silicon Valley billionaire for a trophy house. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 Another major global asset manager, BlackRock, through its joint venture with Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Jio Financial Services, is looking to launch global ETFs out of GIFT City. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for billionaire

See All Rhymes for billionaire

Browse Nearby Words

billion
billionaire
billionairess
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Cite this Entry

“Billionaire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/billionaire. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for billionaire

Nglish: Translation of billionaire for Spanish Speakers

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