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
Since the 1970s, astronomers have observed shifts in surface chemistry during this phase, including a drop in carbon-12 to carbon-13 ratios.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
Homeowners with strong credit, a debt-to-income ratio of 43% or less and at least 10% to 20% in equity.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2026
This objective is best achieved through the maintenance of appropriate staffing ratios, which serve to alleviate employee fatigue, reduce errors, and mitigate the occurrence of use of force incidents.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
KPIs, BMIs, OKRs, credit scores, savings rates, social media likes, screen time, steps walked, hours worked, hours slept, to-dos done, to-dos still to do, books read, practice hours, blood pressure readings, calories consumed, macronutrient ratios, the list just keeps going.
—Big Think, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratio
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
Homeowners with strong credit, a debt-to-income ratio of 43% or less and at least 10% to 20% in equity.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2026
This objective is best achieved through the maintenance of appropriate staffing ratios, which serve to alleviate employee fatigue, reduce errors, and mitigate the occurrence of use of force incidents.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
KPIs, BMIs, OKRs, credit scores, savings rates, social media likes, screen time, steps walked, hours worked, hours slept, to-dos done, to-dos still to do, books read, practice hours, blood pressure readings, calories consumed, macronutrient ratios, the list just keeps going.
—Big Think, 20 Feb. 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 2 Mar. 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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