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

Analyst John Blackledge initiated coverage of the stock with a buy rating. — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

More than 13,000 shoppers have given this pair a five-star rating, and reviewers haven’t been shy about singing its praises. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Sep. 2026

Related Stories The ministry first ordered BARC to stop publishing news channel ratings on March 6, citing sensationalist coverage of the Israel-Iran conflict, and extended that pause several times. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Eleven House races shifted toward Democrats in Sabato’s Crystal Ball ratings Tuesday, another sign of the difficult political environment the GOP faces with just over a month until the midterm elections. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 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