percentage

noun

per·​cent·​age pər-ˈsen-tij 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
: a share of winnings or profits
b
: advantage, profit
no percentage in going around looking like an old sack of laundryWallace Stegner
3
: an indeterminate part : proportion
4
b
: favorable odds

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.
And since his rookie year, Bolton has the highest stuff percentage (4.7%) of any linebacker in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025 The study calculated an AI resistant score for each career based on weightings of two metrics: percentage of human interaction required and the likelihood of automation. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacramento Bee, 13 Mar. 2025 In that four-year span, Arkansas posted an impressive 115-24 record for a staggering 82.8 winning percentage. David Ammenheuser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Percentage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percentage. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

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

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