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.

Every year, the bonds earn an interest rate tied to the average yield on longer‑term Treasurys.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

This includes setting the central bank’s benchmark interest rate, which can influence the direction of capital markets.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

As universally expected, the panel held its key policy interest rate unchanged, in a range of 3.50% to 3.75%.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

The Bank of Canada kept its main interest rate unchanged at 2.25%, and signaled the rate may stay close to that level so long as the economy evolves as forecast.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 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