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

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 BOE left its key interest rate unchanged last month, and next decides policy on April 30.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

That likely means investors need both Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and better than expected earnings growth to sustain the market’s sudden cease-fire optimism.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

“The company's going to loan them the money, almost no interest rate, twenty years to pay.”

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam