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DictionarybillProposed law
noun

bill

A proposed law presented for consideration.

The senator introduces a bill to improve public transportation.

Etymology
billAnglo-Frenchwritten document

The older word names a written document. In lawmaking, the document is a formal proposal presented for consideration, and its name remains bill while it awaits enactment.

More examples

  • The committee revises the bill before the vote.
  • The governor signs the bill into law.
  • Several education bills await debate this week.

Forms

bill · bills

Similar words

law
A rule already enacted rather than merely proposed.
proposal
A suggested plan that need not be legislative.