percentage

noun

per·​cent·​age pər-ˈsen-tij How to pronounce percentage (audio)
Synonyms of percentagenext
1
a
: a part of a whole expressed in hundredths
a high percentage of students attended
b
: the result obtained by multiplying a number by a percent
the percentage equals the rate times the base
2
a
: a share of winnings or profits
b
: advantage, profit
no percentage in going around looking like an old sack of laundry—Wallace Stegner
3
: an indeterminate part : proportion
4
a
: probability
b
: favorable odds

Synonyms of percentage

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Examples of percentage in a Sentence

If a goalie saves 96 out of 100 shots, his save percentage is 96 percent. The percentages of women completing high school and college were 95 percent and 52 percent, respectively. What percentage of your income do you spend on rent?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The percentage and number of women directors in 2025 has significantly decreased since 2024 (a record high 16 women), but was identical to 2008. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 Other states set a specific percentage of interest that must be returned to borrowers. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026 The preservice charge could be all or part of a remaining deductible, for example, or a sizable percentage of what the visit or treatment might cost. — Julie Appleby, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 And while wild barley proved to be better for converting starches into fermentable sugars, some brewers continued to make wheat beers, often using primarily barley and a smaller percentage of wheat. — Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for percentage

Word History

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of percentage was in 1757

Phrases Containing percentage

Rhymes for percentage

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Browse Nearby Words

percent
percentage
percentage bridge
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Cite this Entry

“Percentage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percentage. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

percentage

noun
per·​cent·​age pər-ˈsent-ij How to pronounce percentage (audio)
1
a
: a part of a whole expressed in hundredths
a high percentage of students attended
b
: the result obtained by multiplying a number by a percent
the percentage equals the rate times the base
2
a
: probability sense 3a
play the percentages
b
: favorable odds

More from Merriam-Webster on percentage

Nglish: Translation of percentage for Spanish Speakers

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