ratepayer

noun

rate·​pay·​er ˈrāt-ˌpā-ər How to pronounce ratepayer (audio)
1
British : taxpayer
2
: one who pays for a utility service and especially electricity according to established rates

Examples of ratepayer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
About 805 ratepayers were without electricity in the Dutch Flat/Alta area. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025 The rider allows for construction funded by ratepayers involving a rate increase. Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025 Essayli is seeking damages of more than $40 million for the Eaton Fire and $37 million for the Fairview Fire to cover fire suppression, rehabilitation, and other costs, and said ratepayers should not be responsible. CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025 Investors, workers, and ratepayers deserve better. Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ratepayer

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ratepayer was in 1845

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ratepayer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratepayer. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!