rating

noun

rat·​ing ˈrā-tiŋ 

1

: a classification according to grade

specifically : a military or naval specialist classification

2

chiefly British : a naval enlisted man

3

a

: relative estimate or evaluation : standing

the school has a good academic rating

b

: an estimate of an individual's or business's credit and responsibility

c

: an estimate of the percentage of the public listening to or viewing a particular radio or television program

4

: a stated operating limit of a machine expressible in power units (such as kilowatts of a direct-current generator) or in characteristics (such as voltage)

Examples of rating in a Sentence

The school has an above-average academic rating.

The article compares the fuel-economy ratings of various cars.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Thunder outscored their opponents by 14.0 points per 100 possessions in third quarters this season, by far the most dominant net rating in the league. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 21 May 2025

His outperform rating and $540 per share price target implies about 13% upside from Tuesday’s $475.82 close. —Brian Evans, CNBC, 21 May 2025

On a wind rating basis, we’re rated up to 300 to 321 mph. —Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

In 2022 Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating (105.5). —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rating

• approval rating
• credit rating
• Q rating
• self-rating

Rhymes for rating

• baiting
• bating
• crating
• dating
• freighting
• gating
• grating
• hating
• mating
• plaiting
• plating
• prating

Kids Definition

rating

noun

rat·​ing

ˈrāt-iŋ

: a position within a grading system

credit rating