interest rate

[in-ter-ist reyt, -trist] / ˈɪn tər ɪst ˌreɪt, -trɪst /

NOUN

sum charged for use of money

Synonyms

STRONGEST

interest

WEAK

annual percentage rate bank rate borrowing rate lending rate price of money prime interest rate prime rate rate of interest

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The federal-funds rate is the formal name for the Fed’s benchmark interest rate.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

The U.K. rate setter estimates that the interest rate at which the BOE is neither stimulating nor restraining the economy is 3%, while the current rate is 3.75%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey says the UK's central bank will not rush to make a decision on interest rate rises, despite the world facing what he described as a "very big energy shock".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

The average interest rate on all interest-bearing federal debt was 3.365% as of March, compared with 4.32% on the 10-year note Friday.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

In exchange, he received a higher interest rate.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis