0 the speed at which something happens or changes, or the amount or number of times it happens or changes in a particular period: --
the growth/inflation/mortality/unemployment, etc. rate
The taxi was going at a tremendous rate.
I told my assistants to work at their own rate.
Although she's recovering from her illness, her rate of progress is quite slow.
2 a local tax paid in Australia, and in Britain in the past, by the owners of houses and other buildings --
3 to judge the value or character of someone or something: --
Traffic accidents are so frequent that they don't rate a mention (= are not considered to be worth reporting) in the newspaper unless a lot of people are killed.
[ + obj + noun ] On a scale of one to ten, I'd rate his book a five.
I rate cars as one of the worst polluters of the environment.
informal "What do you think of her as a singer?" "I don't really rate her (= I do not think that she is very good)."
4 In Britain in the past, a building was rated to decide how much local tax the owner should pay. --
5 used with words such as first, second, etc. to show how good you think something is: --
Our expectations are that the UK will cut its interest rate.
The lower tax rate is particularly advantageous to poorer families.
The new phone rates will affect all consumers including businesses.
The survey found no correspondence between crime and unemployment rates.
The city's most shocking statistic is its high infant mortality rate.