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; rate; 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 Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection estimated cancellation would cost New England ratepayers $500 million per year.

From The Wall Street Journal

In her remarks, she detailed how California ratepayers were struggling to pay their bills.

From Los Angeles Times

“We certainly think there needs to be more transparency — that’s a good thing,” said panelist Mark Toney, the executive director of the the Utility Reform Network, a ratepayer advocacy group.

From Los Angeles Times

"Those council members had a mandate to make that decision by ratepayers and voters in Belfast."

From BBC

Herman pushed back on that estimate, saying it relies on “flawed assumptions,” incorporating fees that apply to only a portion of ratepayers.

From Los Angeles Times