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

As economic worries grow, Newsom’s popularity dips Governor Newsom’s favorability ratings have dipped in the last months of his eight-year tenure as state leader. — Andrew Graham october 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Late deliveries and bad ratings also declined, with workers who had more severe hearing loss benefiting the most. — Zoë Schiffer, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Among the 12 lineups around the NBA that entered Monday with at least 30 minutes played together this season, the Heat’s starting lineup of Davion Mitchell, Klay Thompson, Wiggins, Antetokounmpo and Adebayo owned the worst net rating. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

Of the 51 analysts covering the stock, 48 have a buy or strong buy rating on it, LSEG data shows. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 27 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