Standard Lemma guide

ratepayer

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: R EY1 T P EY2 ER0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Someone who pays for a public utility or service.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Canada, US

Examples

  • The government is supposed to mediate between ratepayers and the power company.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a person who pays local rates (especially a householder)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: taxpayer

History

Etymology

From rate + payer.