rating

noun

rat·​ing ˈrā-tiŋ 

1

: a classification according to grade

specifically : a military or naval specialist classification

2

chiefly British : an enlisted sailor

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

It’s earned a 4 out of 5 star rating based on over 3,000 reviews. — Jamela Adam, USA Today, 1 July 2026

The speaker has five light show settings, trolley wheels, and IPX4 splash rating and 12-hour battery life. — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Even for retirees, school ratings matter — high quality schools support long-term property values and signal a community is built to last. — Ave Maria, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Despite the high ratings, both districts are managing significant enrollment declines. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 1 July 2026

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