English Reference
noun · adjective

rental

n. · adj.
US /ˈɹɛntəɫ/ UK /ɹˈɛntəl/ rental UK spelling rental's, rental's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.something that you rent, such as a car, a tool, or a holiday home.

    n.an object, property, or piece of equipment that is made available for hire.

    Simple

    We picked up our car rental at the airport and drove to the hotel.

    In context

    The agency offers a wide variety of vacation rentals, ranging from modest studio apartments to luxury villas with private pools.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.the amount of money you pay to rent something.

    n.the sum of money paid or received for the use of property or equipment over a specific period.

    Simple

    The monthly rental for the office space includes all utility bills.

    In context

    The contract specifies that the annual rental shall be adjusted in accordance with the current rate of inflation.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    n.the process or act of paying to use something for a period of time.

    n.the act or process of renting something.

    Simple

    The rental of the equipment was much cheaper than buying it new.

    In context

    The rental of heavy machinery requires a valid operator's license and a significant security deposit.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced InformalAmerican English Sport

    n.a professional player joined to a team for a short time, usually just to help them win a championship.

    n.a player acquired by a team near the trade deadline who is in the final year of their contract and expected to leave in free agency.

    Simple

    The team traded for a veteran pitcher as a rental for the playoffs.

    In context

    Critics argued that giving up top prospects for a two-month rental was a desperate move by a management team under pressure to win immediately.

    Usage

    often used in the context of baseball or hockey trade deadlines.

  5. 05 B1 Intermediate

    adj.used to describe things that are for rent or related to the business of renting.

    adj.relating to or available for rent; typically used attributively before a noun.

    Simple

    They are looking for a rental property in a quiet neighborhood.

    In context

    The city is facing a severe shortage of affordable rental housing due to the recent surge in short-term tourist lets.

Usage rental properties

If you're renting a car in Spain to drive into Portugal, keep in mind that most rental agencies require prior notification and charge a "Cross-Border Fee" for insurance coverage outside Spain.

The Local· 14 Aug 2026

Rental e-scooters typically have a limited top speed of around 15mph.

BBC News· 11 Aug 2026

From rent + -al.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated