How to Pronounce “billion”

American (US)

/ˈbɪljən/

British (UK)

/ˈbɪljən/

numeral — Either of two large amounts: a thousand million (logic: 1,000 × 1,000): 1 followed by nine zeros, 10.

Where the stress falls. “billion” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈbɪljən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈbɪljən/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "billion" mean?

billion (numeral): Either of two large amounts: a thousand million (logic: 1,000 × 1,000): 1 followed by nine zeros, 10.

How do you pronounce "billion" in American vs British English?

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "billion", /ˈbɪljən/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "billion"?

/ˈbɪljən/ in American English, /ˈbɪljən/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "billion"?

“billion” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈbɪljən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.