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

The bank has a buy rating on the stock and a $210 price target, implying a 54% upside from Tuesday’s close. — Assiatou Hann, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Despite several changes to its time slot, the sitcom was among the top 10 programs in the Nielsen ratings for its first four seasons, before a decline in ratings in its last two seasons. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026

Updated with Spanish-language ratings from Telemundo and Peacock. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

The World Cup continues to be a ratings boon globally and the final is the main event. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 July 2026

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