1a classification or ranking of someone or something based on a comparative assessment of their quality, standard, or performance:the hotel regained its five-star rating
(ratings) the estimated audience size of a particular television or radio programme:the soap’s ratings have recently picked up
the value of a property or condition which is claimed to be standard, optimal, or limiting for a substance, material, or device:fuel with a low octane rating
any of the classes into which racing yachts are assigned according to dimensions:a masthead boat of similar rating
2British a non-commissioned sailor in the navy:the rest of the new crew was made up of naval ratings
[so named from the position or rating held by a sailor, recorded on a ship's books]
