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

Of the 23 analysts covering The Williams Companies, 19 have a buy or strong buy rating on the stock, LSEG data shows. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

To compare, former President Barack Obama, who carried Iowa in both his presidential campaigns, has a rating that is narrowly positive, 49%-45%. — Susan Page, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

During the past six seasons, the Bucks have posted an offensive rating of 116 or more points scored per 100 possessions in five of those seasons with Antetokounmpo on the court. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Fox ratings insider Mike Mulvihill noted on Twitter that women’s college volleyball feels a lot like women’s college basketball a few years ago — people are tuning in, and the events and programming slots are increasing to account for it. — Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 26 Aug. 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