Ranking
'ræŋkɪŋ
Definitions
2 meaningsA position within a system of ordering people or things.
'ræŋkɪŋ
A position on a scale of status or merit.
The university's ranking is highly regarded globally.
💡 Simply: Imagine a contest! The 'ranking' shows where you stand compared to everyone else. Like the best players on a video game leaderboard or the order of singers on a talent show.
👶 For kids: It's like a list that shows who is the best at something, or who is in order.
More Examples
He worked hard to improve his ranking in the sales department.
The athlete's ranking determines their eligibility for the next competition.
How It's Used
"The company's ranking in the market share report improved this quarter."
"The team's ranking is based on their performance throughout the season."
To place in a particular order or class.
'ræŋkɪŋ
To assign a position in a sequence.
The judges will rank the contestants based on their talent.
💡 Simply: Ranking is like putting things in order! Imagine you're sorting your toys from biggest to smallest, or figuring out the best cookies—that's ranking.
👶 For kids: To put things in order from best to worst, or biggest to smallest.
More Examples
The software ranks the files by date created.
We need to rank the priorities for the project.
How It's Used
"The algorithm ranks the search results based on relevance."
"The students were ranked by their grades."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
top-ranking
Being in a high position or status; of superior quality.
"The top-ranking university attracts the best students."
low-ranking
Being in a low position or status.
"The low-ranking officer had little influence."
ranking system
A structured method for organizing entities (people, objects, etc.) in a specific order, based on defined criteria.
"The company uses a complex ranking system to evaluate employee performance."
From Middle English ranken, derived from Old French ranger ('to put in order, arrange') and ultimately from Frankish *hring (meaning 'circle, ring'). The sense evolved to include relative position or status.
The word 'ranking' has been used in the English language since the 14th century, with roots in assigning order and social position.
Memory tip
Think of it like a ladder; the higher you climb, the higher your rank.