ratepayer

American  

[reyt-pey-er] / ˈreɪtˌpeɪ ər /

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; a taxpayer of the local government.

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ratepayer British  

/ ˈreɪtˌpeɪə /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• ratepaying adjective

Etymology

Origin of ratepayer

First recorded in 1835–45; rate ¹ + payer

Example Sentences

The White House did not respond to MarketWatch’s request for additional details about the ratepayer protection pledge.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

“It also puts downward pressure on rates because we are not using ratepayer dollars to build infrastructure.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

Another bill, which ratepayer advocates supported, would have required the Public Utilities Commission to develop a framework for analyzing total annual energy costs for residential households.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 31, 2024

Asking utilities to leave gas trade groups isn’t the only way to keep ratepayer money away from gas PR budgets.

From Slate • Dec. 19, 2023

Educational authorities have the ratepayer and the taxpayer to consider; and, apart from this, they have their own interpretation of "what should be."

From Supply and Demand by Henderson, Hubert D.