rate

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: a quantity, amount, or degree of something measured per unit of something else
her typing rate was 80 words per minute
b
: an amount of payment or charge based on another amount
specifically : the amount of premium per unit of insurance
2
a
: a charge, payment, or price fixed according to a ratio, scale, or standard: such as
(1)
: a charge per unit of a public-service commodity
(2)
: a charge per unit of freight or passenger service
(3)
: a unit charge or ratio used in assessing property taxes
(4)
British : a local tax
b
: a fixed ratio between two things
3
a
: reckoned value : valuation
b
obsolete : estimation
4
: relative condition or quality : class
5
obsolete : a fixed quantity

rate

2 of 3

verb (1)

rated; rating

transitive verb

1
a
: to set an estimate on : value, esteem
talents that are rated highly
b
: to determine or assign the relative rank or class of : grade
rate a seaman
c
: to estimate the normal capacity or power of
2
: consider, regard
was rated an excellent pianist
3
: to have a right to : deserve
she rated special privileges
4
: to fix the amount of premium to be charged per unit of insurance on
5
obsolete : allot

intransitive verb

: to enjoy a status of special privilege
really rates with the boss

rate

3 of 3

verb (2)

rated; rating

transitive verb

1
: to rebuke angrily or violently
2
obsolete : to drive away by scolding

intransitive verb

: to voice angry reprimands
Phrases
at any rate
: in any case : anyway
Choose the Right Synonym for rate

estimate, appraise, evaluate, value, rate, assess mean to judge something with respect to its worth or significance.

estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

Examples of rate in a Sentence

Noun The cold weather meant a slower growing rate for many crops. At the rate we're moving, it will be morning before we arrive. People work at different rates. Gun violence is increasing at an alarming rate. Snow was falling at a rate of three inches per hour. There has been a fall in the rate of inflation. Crime rates have declined in recent years. What's the interest rate on the loan? Regular admission to the theater is $12, the student rate is $8, and the rate for senior citizens is $6.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The magnet schools with the second and third highest rates of economically disadvantaged bus riders are also in the West End (72% at Central High and 60% at Johnson Traditional Middle). Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 22 Mar. 2024 This bill seeks to help lower them through more transparency Since 2021, researchers have used the data to compare rates for specific procedures across hospitals and to identify pricing disparities. Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024 But the Fed also indicated that there would still be three rate cuts this year. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024 Eurozone policymakers have sounded a cautious note on pulling down interest rates before inflation is proven to be under control, which might also put the brakes on growth. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 21 Mar. 2024 These Top Trending Features Can Boost Your Home Value by $10,000 Zillow Report Finds Realtor.com also says the demand for homes will rise as soon as mortgage rates fall—and fortunately, they’re predicted to ease up later in the year. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2024 Overall, the success rate for each minor candidate could vary considerably, but past elections suggest that the highest-profile contenders or third parties will make the ballot in most states. Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2024 Economists don’t expect mortgage rates to fall below 6% this year. Bryan Mena, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 The story of a man who recovered after having been placed in a coma and given a 4% survival rate has gone viral on social media after his sister shared his journey. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
Photo : Corsair Yachts Plenty of Power and a Fake Smokestack Nero is powered by a pair of slow-spinning, commercial-grade MaK/Caterpillar diesels, rated 2,333 hp each. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024 With decent performance, long battery life, and a high quality build that is waterproof rated IP68, this tablet can go anywhere and everywhere with you. Jade Chung-Lee, PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024 Academically, the American higher education system is still routinely rated among the best – if not the best. Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2024 Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 44 minutes Playing: Starts Friday at the Laemmle Monica, Santa Monica; Simon Baker will participate in a Q&A after the 7 p.m. screening March 22, moderated by The Times’ Carlos Aguilar. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Consumers rated independent shops high for trust, reasonable prices, reputation and knowledgeable mechanics. Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2024 Many of the cities that pioneered reducing car use—like Copenhagen in the 1970s—are rated today as some of the best places to live in the world. Andrew Kersley, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024 Fourteen of these systems, including two from Ford, were recently rated by the private Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 The funding will be used for reconstruction of the McClellan Road Bridge, which is over 100 years old and has been poorly rated by Caltrans. Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin rata, from Latin (pro) rata (parte) according to a fixed proportion

Verb (2)

Middle English

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 5

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rate was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rate

Cite this Entry

“Rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rate

1 of 3 verb
rated; rating
: to scold violently : berate

rate

2 of 3 noun
1
a
: a constant ratio between two things
a rate of exchange
b
: a price or charge set according to a scale or standard
hotel rates
tax rate
2
: a quantity, amount, or degree of something measured in units of something else
the unemployment rate
3
: a level of quality : class

rate

3 of 3 verb
rated; rating
1
: consider sense 3, regard
was rated a good pianist
2
: to set an estimate on : evaluate
3
: to determine the rank, class, or position of : grade
rate a movie
4
: to have a rating : be classed
rates high in math
5
: to have a right to : deserve
rate a promotion
Etymology

Verb

Middle English raten "to scold violently"

Noun

Middle English rate "an estimated or determined value," from early French rate (same meaning), derived from Latin rata, literally, "fixed, determined," from (pro) rata (parte) "according to the fixed proportion"

Medical Definition

rate

noun
1
: a fixed ratio between two things
2
: a quantity, amount, or degree of something measured per unit of something else see death rate, heart rate, metabolic rate, pulse rate, sedimentation rate

Legal Definition

rate

noun
1
: a fixed ratio between two things
2
: a charge, payment, or price fixed according to a ratio, scale, or standard: as
a
: a charge per unit of a commodity provided by a public utility
b
: a charge per unit of freight or passenger service see also joint rate
c
: a unit charge or ratio used in assessing property taxes
3
a
: a quantity, amount, or degree of something measured per unit of something else
b
: an amount of payment or charge based on another amount
specifically : the amount of premium per unit of insurance
rate transitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on rate

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