uprate

American  

[uhp-reyt] / ʌpˈreɪt /

verb (used with object)

uprated, uprating

1. to raise in rate, power, size, classification, etc.; upgrade.

   to uprate a rocket engine.

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uprate British  

/ ʌpˈreɪt /

verb

1. raise the value, rate, or size of, upgrade

2. photog to increase the effective speed of (a film) by underexposing, usually up to two stops, and subsequently overdeveloping (pushing the processing)

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Etymology

Origin of uprate

First recorded in 1965–70; up- + rate ¹

Example Sentences

Squeezing more electricity out of existing plants is called an uprate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

Alva’s uprate projects would work like this: The company would act as the project developer for building a steam-turbine and electric generator next to existing nuclear facilities, which would keep producing power during the construction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

The triple-lock, which is used to uprate the state pension, acted as a crucial safeguard against rising retirement living costs, researchers said.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2024

Ministers normally use regulations to uprate benefits, but a bill is necessary because it is a multi-year settlement.

From The Guardian • Dec. 5, 2012

Exelon has not yet decided if it will pursue an approved uprate at Clinton, the company said.

From Chicago Tribune • Mar. 18, 2011