Crossword Genius

Two billion people (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

brace

'two' is the definition.
(brace is a kind of two)

'billion people' is the wordplay.
'billion' becomes 'b'.
'people' becomes 'race' (**).
'b'+'race'='BRACE'

(Other definitions for brace that I've seen before include "double" , "Carpenter's tool for a pair" , "Pair; hand drill" , "Pair of game-birds" , "Teeth straightener" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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