noun

1. 1. a rank, class, or grade; specif., a classification of military or naval personnel according to specialized skills and training Quartermaster is a Navy rating
   2. Brit. an enlisted man in the Navy
2. a placement in a certain rank or class
3. an expression in horsepower, British thermal units, etc. of the effectiveness or operational limit of an engine, furnace, etc.
4. an evaluation of the credit or financial standing of a businessman, firm, etc.
5. an amount determined as a rate
6. Film a classification, based on content, restricting the age of those who may attend
7. ☆ Radio, TV a figure, measured by statistical sampling, reflecting the relative size of an audience for a program, time period, etc.

Etymology: see rate

noun

Etymology: see rate