rating

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)

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

Officials recommend confirming a charity’s name, researching the group and checking independent ratings before giving. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask The Laneige lip mask has gathered more than 42,000 five-star ratings in addition to our praise. —Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025

The Gym People Leggings Speaking of leggings, this pair from the Gym People has earned over 45,000 perfect ratings. —Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2025

In the end, the Heat posted its second-worst single-game defensive rating of the season. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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