Billing is the process of sending someone a statement that shows how much money they owe for goods or services. When a doctor's office sends your family a bill after a checkup, that's billing. When a store charges your parent's credit card for an online purchase, that's also part of the billing process.

Companies use billing systems to keep track of what customers have purchased and to collect payment. A family might receive monthly billing for electricity, internet service, or a cell phone plan. The bill typically lists what was used or purchased, the cost, and when payment is due.

In entertainment, billing has a special meaning related to how performers' names appear in advertisements and credits. When an actor gets “top billing” in a movie, their name appears first or most prominently on posters and in commercials. This reflects how famous or important they are to the project. You might hear that an actress received second billing, meaning her name appeared after the star but before other cast members. Getting good billing matters to performers because it can affect their reputation and future opportunities.