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

McGiffert said consumers who can choose which hospital or health facility to visit should do their homework and not rely on any single rating. —Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026

Who needs opponent rating anyway? —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026

Anything can impact a president's rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 14 Mar. 2026

The League obviously is trying to dominate TV ratings every night of the week. —Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 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