Ordinary seaman's popularity figures (7)
I believe the answer is:
ratings
'figures' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'ordinary seaman's popularity' is the wordplay.
'ordinary seaman' becomes 'rating' (I've seen this before).
'popularity' becomes 's' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'rating'+'s'='RATINGS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ratings that I've seen before include "TV producers often chase" , "Members of crew" , "they matter to broadcasters" , "Staring at classifications" , "Royal Navy sailors - staring (anag)" .)