0 a rank or level, for example in a competition:
1 being the officer of highest rank present at a particular time:
2 having the highest rank or standing in relation to others of the same kind:
The Senator is the ranking Republican on the committee.
3 the position or level something or someone has in a list that compares their importance, quality, success, etc.:
4 a list that compares the importance, quality, success, etc. of people or things of the same type:
5 the action of deciding where someone or something should be in a list that compares things of the same type:
The ranking system is based on a complicated formula with different items such as reputation or performance carrying different weights.
ranking as sth She referred to the bank's ranking by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the largest purchaser of green-power energy credits in the United States.
6 having the highest position of authority in an organization, at a meeting, etc.:
He is the ranking member on several Senate subcommittees.
