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
Among the Heat’s 34 two-man combinations who have logged at least 200 minutes together this season, the Adebayo-Ware combo has the second-worst net rating.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
The new pants are starting to rake in five-star ratings and praise from happy shoppers.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
From 1972 to 1977, Sanford and Son was a ratings smash for NBC, and the show ran for six seasons, until Foxx’s contract disputes and ultimately his exit to start his own variety show ended the series.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Anything can impact a president's rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rating
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Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
The new pants are starting to rake in five-star ratings and praise from happy shoppers.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
From 1972 to 1977, Sanford and Son was a ratings smash for NBC, and the show ran for six seasons, until Foxx’s contract disputes and ultimately his exit to start his own variety show ended the series.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Anything can impact a president's rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rating
Cite this Entry
“Rating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rating. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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