rating

1 of 2

noun

rat·​ing ˈrā-tiŋ 

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)

rating

2 of 2

present participle of rate entry 2, rate entry 3

Examples of rating in a Sentence

Noun

The school has an above-average academic rating.

The article compares the fuel-economy ratings of various cars.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To a broadcast outlet, Thompson said, financial success in the World Series is not just about ratings. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Of the 45 analysts covering CoreWeave, 32 have a buy or strong buy rating on the stock, LSEG data shows. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

Despite the game's overall Steam rating, its recent reviews have been mixed due to complaints about bugs, performance issues, and a sense that its developers had effectively abandoned the game after its 2025 release. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026

Students’ scores on these tests can affect schools’ ratings and rankings, and can also determine whether states monitor or take over public school districts that are not performing well. — Liza Bondurant, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rating

• approval rating
• credit rating
• Q rating
• self-rating

Rhymes for rating

• baiting
• bating
• crating
• dating
• freighting
• gating
• grating
• hating
• mating
• plaiting
• plating
• prating

Kids Definition

rating

noun

rat·​ing

ˈrāt-iŋ

: a position within a grading system

credit rating