bullion

noun

bul·​lion ˈbu̇l-yən  -ˌyän 

1

a

: gold or silver considered as so much metal

the bullion contained in a silver dollar

specifically : uncoined gold or silver in bars or ingots

over a million dollars in gold bullion

b

: metal in the mass

lead bullion

2

clothing : lace, braid, or fringe of gold or silver threads

the bullion on his uniform

Examples of bullion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just like Judas sold Jesus out for a bag of coins and sealed it with a kiss, Thomas unwittingly signs his wife over to Orlok for a sack of bullion. —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Dec. 2024

The approximately 10-foot-tall tree was displayed at the bullion hawker’s headquarters in Munich for several days in honor of the company’s 35th anniversary. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Knight mentions what many consider the holy grail of colonial shipwrecks—the San José, a ship loaded with gold bullion that was sunk off the coast of Cartagena by the British naval squadron of Commodore Wager, in 1708—and writes that it was discovered by the Colombian government in 2015. —The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024

The fund's assets include only gold bullion and cash, with 32,699.485 ounces of gold held at a market value of $85,998,011 as of September 30, 2024. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French billion, bullion melting house, bullion, probably blend of Middle French bille ingot, piece of money (from Old French, log) and Anglo-French *bulliun, buillun cauldron, from Old French boillon froth on boiling liquid, broth — more at billet, bouillon

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

bullion

noun

bul·​lion ˈbu̇l-yən 

: gold or silver especially in bars or blocks