ratio

noun

ra·​tio ˈrā-shē-ˌō How to pronounce ratio (audio)
-(ˌ)shō
plural ratios
1
a
: the indicated quotient of two mathematical expressions
b
: the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things : proportion
2
: the expression of the relative values of gold and silver as determined by a country's currency laws

Example Sentences

What is the length-to-width ratio? the ratio of students to teachers in the school is nine to one
Recent Examples on the Web To me, that explains why consistent hiring is still the norm, with the ratio of two jobs for every person searching still the trend. Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2023 It’s bred to produce a high leaf to stem ratio, and is the quintessential Italian basil that’s featured in pesto Genovese recipes. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2023 Shareholders by a similar margin voted yes to a second proposal by AMC to change its share structure by bringing about a reverse split of the company’s common shares at a ratio of 10:1. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2023 Although the drought continued and quantities were relatively small, a near-perfect growing season offered ideal conditions for ripening small berries with a high juice to skin ratio. Mike Desimone And Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2023 With a considerable cow to person ratio and a population of 90, the pastoral town of Round Top, Texas might register as sleepy to the uninitiated. Jaimie Potters, House Beautiful, 13 Mar. 2023 Factors such as the organization’s data architecture, offerings, resources, objectives and technological capabilities play a role in determining the vitality and ratio of the components. Chintan Shah, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023 March has been his best month as a passer, averaging a career-high 5.8 assists against just 2.6 turnovers — his first month with an assist-to-turnover ratio better than 2-1. Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2023 Comcast shares are attractively priced, with a recent forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10. Dallas News, 5 Mar. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ratio.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, computation, reason — more at reason entry 1

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ratio was in 1660

Dictionary Entries Near ratio

Cite this Entry

“Ratio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratio. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

ratio

noun
ra·​tio ˈrā-shō How to pronounce ratio (audio)
-shē-ˌō
plural ratios
1
: the quotient of two numbers or mathematical expressions
the ratio of 6 to 3 may be expressed as 6:3, frac::6/3, and 2
2
: the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things
women outnumbered men in the ratio of three to one

Medical Definition

ratio

noun
plural ratios
: the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things see sex ratio

More from Merriam-Webster on ratio

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