Ranking

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɹæn.kɪŋ/

Definitions

1. A method to evaluate and arrange individuals or items according to predetermined criteria for comparative purposes
2. An ordered list showing the relative position or grade of individuals or items based on specific measures
3. A sequence indicating the comparative standing of entities according to assessed criteria

Etymology: Rank began as a line of people before it meant a position on a list. English took the noun from Old French "ranc," meaning a row or line, which probably traces back to a Germanic root related to "ring," a circle. The original image was soldiers standing in a row, and the sense of social or military standing came later. The verb "to rank" means to arrange things in order of merit or size. Adding "-ing" turns that verb into a noun for the result of the arranging, so a ranking is literally the outcome of placing items in a line.

Synonyms: positioning, ordering, classifying, grading, rating

Antonyms: disordering, disarranging, unranking, declassifying, demoting