# rating

/ˈɹeɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /ɹˈeɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rating
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a score or grade

noun · CEFR B2

a score or position on a scale that shows how good or bad something is.

For teachers: a classification or ranking of someone or something based on a comparative assessment of quality or performance.

- The hotel has a five-star rating because of its excellent service.
- The credit agency lowered the country's sovereign rating, citing concerns over rising debt and slow economic growth.

### 2. audience size

noun · CEFR B2

a measurement of how many people watch a specific TV show or listen to a radio programme.

For teachers: a quantitative measure of the audience size for a broadcast, typically used to determine advertising rates.

- The show's ratings dropped after the main actor left the series.
- Network executives were thrilled when the season finale achieved record-breaking ratings across all major demographics.

### 3. technical capacity

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a number that shows the maximum power or speed a machine can safely handle.

For teachers: a specified limit of the operating capacity of a piece of equipment, such as power, voltage, or load.

- Check the power rating on the back of the microwave before plugging it in.
- The engineer warned that exceeding the engine's maximum thermal rating would lead to catastrophic structural failure.

### 4. naval rank

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Formal

a sailor in the navy who is not an officer.

For teachers: a non-commissioned member of a navy; an enlisted person as opposed to an officer.

- The captain addressed the ratings on the deck before the ship left the port.
- The historical novel provides a vivid account of the daily hardships faced by ordinary naval ratings during the Napoleonic Wars.

Usage: Usually refers to the rank or the person holding it in a military context.

## Examples

- The hotel has a five-star rating on the travel website.
- The television show was cancelled after its audience rating dropped significantly during the second season.
- Credit agencies lowered the country's sovereign debt rating, citing concerns over long-term fiscal stability and the slow pace of structural economic reforms.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.