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

Not even low ratings can stop it. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2026

With nearly 2,000 five-star ratings, shoppers love it for its flattering fit that complements a wide range of shapes, heights, and sizes. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026

His offensive rating is a ghastly 101, the lowest since the lost 2019-20 season, and his 113 defensive rating is the lowest of his career. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026

Shopping for pants online can be tricky, but these Levi’s have racked up more than 18,500 perfect five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers who loved them right out of the box. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 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