ratio
noun
ra·tio
ˈrā-shē-ˌō 
-(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
Examples of ratio in a Sentence
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
With close to a 20-to-1 teacher-to-student ratio, the meeting began with commendations about Ruiz’s defensive strides and devoted work ethic.
—
Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Volume ratios in options trading on the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) have been increasingly bullish throughout this month, including on Tuesday — when more than twice as many calls traded as puts, with a heavy bias toward call-buying.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 27 May 2026
But despite the record-setting S&P 500, the index's P/E ratio has fallen as earnings have increased faster than the market, Goldman Sachs analysts said in their research note.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 27 May 2026
While the biggest gaps occur at companies where the CEO received compensation loaded with one-time awards of stock, the pay ratio also tends to be highest at companies in industries where wages are typically low.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratio
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Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Volume ratios in options trading on the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) have been increasingly bullish throughout this month, including on Tuesday — when more than twice as many calls traded as puts, with a heavy bias toward call-buying.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 27 May 2026
But despite the record-setting S&P 500, the index's P/E ratio has fallen as earnings have increased faster than the market, Goldman Sachs analysts said in their research note.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 27 May 2026
While the biggest gaps occur at companies where the CEO received compensation loaded with one-time awards of stock, the pay ratio also tends to be highest at companies in industries where wages are typically low.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratio
Cite this Entry
“Ratio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratio. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ratio
noun
ra·tio
ˈrā-shō
-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, 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
ra·tio
ˈrā-(ˌ)shō, -shē-ˌō
plural ratios
: the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things see sex ratio
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