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
The new sunscreen achieved an SPF rating of 30 and – without the clumping particles – was visibly less whiter, as confirmed by an array of color science metric tests the team conducted.
—
New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
One major Atlanta hotel achieved a prestigious rating, another kicked off a year of 50th anniversary celebrations downtown, an iconic piece of Georgia produce got its own day at the ballpark and more from the metro area dining scene.
—Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The financials sector did stabilize some on Friday after Baird upgraded Wells Fargo stock to a hold-equivalent rating from a sell.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
Score a classic Lodge cast iron skillet that comes pre-seasoned, a 6-quart Ninja air fryer that bakes, roasts, and reheats, plus a set of self-sharpening Henckels knives with over 1,800 five-star ratings.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rating
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New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
One major Atlanta hotel achieved a prestigious rating, another kicked off a year of 50th anniversary celebrations downtown, an iconic piece of Georgia produce got its own day at the ballpark and more from the metro area dining scene.
—Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The financials sector did stabilize some on Friday after Baird upgraded Wells Fargo stock to a hold-equivalent rating from a sell.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
Score a classic Lodge cast iron skillet that comes pre-seasoned, a 6-quart Ninja air fryer that bakes, roasts, and reheats, plus a set of self-sharpening Henckels knives with over 1,800 five-star ratings.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rating
Cite this Entry
“Rating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rating. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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