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
3
: an indeterminate part : proportion
4
a
b
: favorable 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
In the different sub-categories, Utah has the lowest percentage of smoking adults, and low poverty and food insecurity rates.
—
Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026
Even more frightening, the percentage exceeded 50% in many groups, including insects, terrestrial vertebrates, and marine species.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026
Northwest Indiana has a large number of Lutherans, perhaps not surprising given the high percentage of Hoosiers with German ancestry and the presence of Valparaiso University, a Lutheran school.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
Known for its world-class universities and innovation economy, Cambridge boasts the highest percentage of bachelor's degree holders among small cities.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for percentage
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Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026
Even more frightening, the percentage exceeded 50% in many groups, including insects, terrestrial vertebrates, and marine species.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026
Northwest Indiana has a large number of Lutherans, perhaps not surprising given the high percentage of Hoosiers with German ancestry and the presence of Valparaiso University, a Lutheran school.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
Known for its world-class universities and innovation economy, Cambridge boasts the highest percentage of bachelor's degree holders among small cities.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for percentage
Cite this Entry
“Percentage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percentage. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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