percentage

noun

per·​cent·​age pər-ˈsen-tij 

1

a

: a part of a whole expressed in hundredths

a high percentage of students attended

b

: the result obtained by multiplying a number by a percent

the percentage equals the rate times the base

2

a

: a share of winnings or profits

b

: advantage, profit

no percentage in going around looking like an old sack of laundry

—Wallace Stegner

3

: an indeterminate part : proportion

4

a

: probability

b

: favorable odds

Synonyms of percentage

• probability
• odds

Examples of percentage in a Sentence

If a goalie saves 96 out of 100 shots, his save percentage is 96 percent.

The percentages of women completing high school and college were 95 percent and 52 percent, respectively.

What percentage of your income do you spend on rent?

Recent Examples on the Web

Though Black voters make up tiny percentages of the MAGA right and democratic socialist left nationwide, Black politicians are in the spotlight in these two states. — Theodore R. Johnson, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2026

For example, 60 percent of consumers said resale value is a key factor when buying new apparel—up 13 percentage from the prior year. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

The tight end upgrades should lead to a significant increase in that percentage. — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

If no nominee reaches the 90% threshold, the nominee with the highest 'Yes' percentage receives an Emmy. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing percentage

• fielding percentage
• no percentage
• on-base percentage
• percentage point
• slugging percentage

Rhymes for percentage

• centage

Kids Definition

percentage

noun

per·​cent·​age pər-ˈsent-ij 

1

a

: a part of a whole expressed in hundredths

a high percentage of students attended

b

: the result obtained by multiplying a number by a percent

the percentage equals the rate times the base

2

a

: probability sense 3a

play the percentages

b

: favorable odds