billon

[ bil-uhn ]

noun

1. an alloy used in coinage, consisting of gold or silver with a larger amount of base metal.
2. an alloy of silver with copper or the like, used for coins of small denomination.
3. any coin struck from such an alloy.

billon

/ ˈbɪlən /

noun

1. an alloy consisting of gold or silver and a base metal, usually copper, used esp for coinage
2. any coin made of such an alloy

Word History and Origins

Origin of billon¹

1720–30; < French: debased metal, originally ingot, equivalent to Middle French bille log ( billet ² ) + -on noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of billon¹

C18: from Old French: ingot, from bille log; see billet ²

Example Sentences

And the parties will scrap a €20 billon fund to make agriculture more sustainable by buying out farmers, as well as a rule setting a lower daytime speed limit on highways, which was introduced in 2020 to help reduce nitrogen emissions.

From Science Magazine

In October, a judge ruled that Jones could not use bankruptcy protection to avoid paying more than $1.1 billon of that debt.

From Seattle Times

In October, a judge ruled that Jones could not use bankruptcy protection to avoid paying more than $1.1 billon of that debt.

From Washington Times

It also includes $1.5 billon in grants and other spending to help companies and local communities improve monitoring and data collection, and find and repair natural gas leaks.

From Washington Times

It also includes $1.5 billon in grants and other spending to help companies and local communities improve monitoring and data collection, and find and repair natural gas leaks.

From Seattle Times