Definitions

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 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

The minutes will also detail views on the interest rate path, with a planned cut now less certain due to tighter financial conditions.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

The ECB last month left its key interest rate unchanged at 2%, but set out a number of ways in which developments in the conflict might affect the eurozone’s economic outlook.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

There have been calls to lower the interest rate on Plan 2 student loans as part of a wider overhaul of the system.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Enter Sosin, with his supposedly new and improved interest rate swap model—even though Drexel Burnham was not at the time a market leader in interest rate swaps.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis