1rate 
/ˈreɪt/ noun
plural rates /ˈreɪt/ noun [count] 1 : the speed at which something happens over a particular period of time
▪ The cold weather meant a slower growing rate for many crops. ▪ At the rate we're moving, it will be morning before we arrive. ▪ People work at different rates. ▪ Gun violence is increasing at an alarming rate. ▪ Snow was falling at a rate of three inches per hour. ▪ There has been a fall in the rate of inflation. 2 : the number of times something happens or is done during a particular period of time
▪ There is a high success rate for this surgery. [=this surgery is often/usually successful] ▪ Economists are concerned about the city's rising unemployment rate. [=the increasing number of people who are unemployed] ▪ Crime rates have declined in recent years. ▪ The nurse will check your heart/pulse rate. [=the number of times your heart beats in a minute] — see also birthrate, death rate 3 : an amount that is paid : a price or amount to be paid that is set according to a scale or standard
▪ The hotel's rates start at $65/night. [=the least expensive rooms at the hotel cost $65 for one night's stay and other rooms cost more than $65] ▪ What's the interest rate on the loan? ▪ tax rates ▪ Regular admission to the theater is $12, the student rate is $8, and the rate for senior citizens is $6. — see also exchange rate, prime rate
▪ The cold weather meant a slower growing rate for many crops. ▪ At the rate we're moving, it will be morning before we arrive. ▪ People work at different rates. ▪ Gun violence is increasing at an alarming rate. ▪ Snow was falling at a rate of three inches per hour. ▪ There has been a fall in the rate of inflation.
▪ There is a high success rate for this surgery. [=this surgery is often/usually successful] ▪ Economists are concerned about the city's rising unemployment rate. [=the increasing number of people who are unemployed] ▪ Crime rates have declined in recent years. ▪ The nurse will check your heart/pulse rate. [=the number of times your heart beats in a minute] — see also birthrate, death rate
▪ The hotel's rates start at $65/night. [=the least expensive rooms at the hotel cost $65 for one night's stay and other rooms cost more than $65] ▪ What's the interest rate on the loan? ▪ tax rates ▪ Regular admission to the theater is $12, the student rate is $8, and the rate for senior citizens is $6. — see also exchange rate, prime rate
at any rate
— used to indicate that something is true or certain regardless of what else has happened or been said ▪ This restaurant has the best food—or at any rate, the best pasta dishes—in the city. ▪ At any rate [=in any case], cooking with fresh ingredients makes everything taste better. ▪ It is possible that she was nervous. At any rate, her singing was still good.
at a rate of knots
Brit, informal : very fast or quickly
▪ We were bowling along the motorway at a rate of knots.
▪ We were bowling along the motorway at a rate of knots.
at this/that rate
: if things continue to happen in the same way they have been happening
▪ At this rate, the town's farmland will be gone within 20 years.
▪ At this rate, the town's farmland will be gone within 20 years.
going rate
: the average or usual price that is charged for something
▪ What's the going rate for a new computer? ▪ You can hire a babysitter for a going rate of $10/hour.
▪ What's the going rate for a new computer? ▪ You can hire a babysitter for a going rate of $10/hour.
