ratepayer

[ reyt-pey-er ]

noun

1. a person who pays a regular charge for the use of a public utility, as gas or electricity, usually based on the quantity consumed.
2. British. a person who pays rates; rate; a taxpayer of the local government.

ratepayer

/ ˈreɪtˌpeɪə /

noun

1. a person who pays local rates, esp a householder

Other Words From

• ratepaying adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratepayer¹

First recorded in 1835–45; rate ¹ + payer

Example Sentences

Lobbyists for local water agencies are hopeful the state will provide direct emergency assistance to ratepayers in the state budget.

From Voice of San Diego

One exists for assisting low-income ratepayers to cover energy bills but not in the water world, Farrel said.

From Voice of San Diego

One utility had been collecting fees from ratepayers for 19 years and failing to send the money to the CPUC, Stebbins said.

From ProPublica

The cost is usually passed on to customers and it’s you, the ratepayer, who actually pays the franchise fee on your utility bill.

From Voice of San Diego

We must ensure that we do not squander this once-in-a-generation opportunity to help meet the city’s climate goals and protect ratepayers.

From Voice of San Diego

Among their other duties, they had the power of commuting each ratepayer's statute-labor for five years.

From Project Gutenberg

Mill's absolute principle would condemn the levy of a shilling for a school, if the ratepayer objected to the religious teaching.

From Project Gutenberg

As a woman and a ratepayer, I realise the importance of eliminating all unavoidable expenditure in Municipal undertakings.

From Project Gutenberg

"But surely cookery is taught in the schools," pleaded the Ratepayer.

From Project Gutenberg

For that reason an English municipal taxpayer is called a ratepayer.

From Project Gutenberg