rate
/reɪt/ noun [C]Definition
› the speed at which something happens: at a fast/slow/steady rate The economy grew at a slower rate in the third quarter than previously estimated.an alarming/incredible/surprising rate The future of the channel is under threat after losing viewers and advertisers at an alarming rate.cut/reduce/slow down the rate The dip in consumer spending was a key factor in slowing down the rate of growth in the economy. double/increase/speed up the rate of sth improve/maintain the rate of sth
› the amount of something, or the number of times something happens in a particular period: at a rate of 20%/100 a day, etc. The group's business plan shows it growing at its current rate for the next five years.rising/falling rate The report examines the reasons for the rising rate of personal bankruptcy.unemployment/jobless rate Economists predict that the unemployment rate will continue to rise over the next 12 months. It is an area with high poverty and a high crime rate. the birth/death/divorce rate the failure/success rate
› HR, INSURANCE an amount of money that is charged or paid for a particular service: cheap/competitive/reasonable rate The network offers the cheapest rates for mobile calls from abroad. The survey found that the average rate of pay was $9.51 per hour for women and $12.95 for men.charge/pay/set a rate We charge a rate of between €500 and €800 per day. a daily/hourly/weekly rate
› FINANCE, TAX the amount that is charged as tax on income, interest on loans, etc., usually shown as a percentage: a competitive/reduced/special rate Some internet banks offer personal loans at highly competitive rates.falling/high/rising rate How much a bond fund falls in a rising rate environment depends on its duration.a fall/rise/cut in the rate We are likely to see a rise in the rate of VAT. an annual/monthly/quarterly rate the loan/savings ratea rate cut/increase/hike I think we need another rate increase to keep inflation down.
rates [plural] › TAX, GOVERNMENT in the UK, a local tax paid for some public services: The company was told it had to pay rates of £1,100 a year on the small piece of land.
→ See also absorption rate, AER, APR, average rate, bank rate, base rate, basic rate, bill rate, capitalization rate, capped rate, cheque rate, click-through rate, compound rate, conversion rate, day rate, depreciation rate, discount rate, effective rate, effective tax rate, Euribor, exchange rate, fixed rate, flat rate, floating rate, going rate, growth rate, interbank offered rate, interest rate, lending rate, marginal rate, market rate, mortality rate, negative interest rate, nominal interest rate, piece rate, prime rate, rack rate, short-period rate, standard rate, tax rate, teaser rate, uniform business rate, variable rate, water rates(Definition of rate noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary
© Cambridge University Press)
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