: the position at the top of a theatrical bill usually featuring the star's name
Synonyms
catbird seat
center stage
limelight
spotlight
See all Synonyms & Antonyms
Example Sentences
despite being of epic proportions, the famine overseas rarely received top billing in the American press
Recent Examples on the WebFrank Lloyd Wright’s most famous local creations — his Home and Studio, and Unity Temple — usually get top billing in Oak Park.Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 While the two Englishmen get top billing, the third star of the drama is Sidi Mubarak Bombay, an African man formerly enslaved in India. David Conrads, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2022 At Ashland’s Lithia Springs Resort, wellness and self-care take top billing. Katie Chang, Forbes, 30 Apr. 2022 Among those, lost learning usually gets top billing. Nat Malkus, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022 As voters on Tuesday choose nominees in statewide, legislative, and congressional races, the pivotal governor’s race takes top billing.BostonGlobe.com, 19 July 2022 The Trojans’ top freshmen haven’t lived up to their top billing just yet. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2021 While jam-centric acts Widespread Panic and String Cheese Incident typically get top billing, the festival has become more mainstream since Live Nation bought out Superfly’s ownership of Bonnaroo in 2020. Dave Brooks, Billboard, 28 June 2022 The candidates have competing plans for the post-Covid economy and the recent uptick in crime—an issue getting top billing from the state’s Republicans. Jimmy Vielkind, WSJ, 26 June 2022 See More
Word History
First Known Use
1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1
top billing
noun
as in center stage
the center of public attention despite being of epic proportions, the famine overseas rarely received top billing in the American press