1) Measure of credit risk 
(from the article `bond`) Bond ratings are grades given to bonds on the basis of the creditworthiness of the government, municipality, or corporation issuing them. The ratings ...
A rating based on the possibility of default by a bond issuer. The ratings range from AAA (highly unlikely to default) to D (in default). See: Rating, investment grade.
A rating based on the possibility of default by a bond issuer. The ratings range from AAA (highly un
Designation assigned by credit rating agencies to give indication of credit quality.An assessment of the likelihood that a bond issuer will pay the interest on its debt on time. Bond ratings are assigned by independent agencies, such as Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's. Ratings range from AAA or Aaa (highest) to D (in default). Bonds rated below B are not investment grade
Corporate and government bonds are generally considered a safe form of investment compared to... <a target=_blank href='http://www.finance-glossary.com/terms/bond-rating.htm?id=165&ginPtrCode=00000&PopupMode=false' title='Read full definition of bond rating'>more</a>
[n] - an evaluation by a rating company of the probability that a particular bond issue will default
noun an evaluation by a rating company of the probability that a particular bond issue will default; `bonds of the highest quality are said to have bond ratings of AAA`
A bond rating is a graded evaluation of an bond issuer?s default risk designated by a letter grade of AAA through D illustrating the bond?s overall credit quality. In other words, it is a score that is assigned to a?bond?as an indication of its reliability and potential fulfillment of terms, conditions and payments.