Meaning & use
derate
Last updated
To reduce the rated performance or capacity of a device or system, typically to ensure safety or reliability under certain conditions.
See it in a sentence
Engineers derate the motor's output when operating at high altitudes.
The transformer must be derated in hot climates to prevent overheating.
A note on using this word
Derating is common practice in electrical and mechanical engineering, where components are deliberately run below their maximum rated capacity for safety margins.
Words with a similar meaning
downratereduce
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
uprate
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