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

The bank initiated coverage on the biopharmaceutical company at a buy rating, setting a 12-month price target of $23. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026

The Heat, which entered with the NBA’s fifth-worst third-quarter net rating this season, was outscored 36-15 in Friday’s third quarter. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026

Yes, on a points-per game basis, the Heat did stand third in the NBA as Spoelstra spoke, but also 18th in offensive rating. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026

Nearly 13 million people tuned in to the Puppy Bowl last year, according to Nielsen ratings, exposure that can make a real difference for shelters like the San Francisco SPCA. —Itay Hod, CBS News, 7 Feb. 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