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
Change direction, and those ratios shift accordingly.
—
Omar Kardoudi
march 01, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
An end to an overblown row As finicky and technical as the topic of compression ratios may be to the casual F1 fan, the furore surrounding their policing in the last two months has been a perfect example of F1 politicking.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Among the factors considered were training hours required, education mandates and child-to-staff ratio demands.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
The plan is to maintain these ratios as the staff size increases.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratio
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Omar Kardoudi
march 01, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
An end to an overblown row As finicky and technical as the topic of compression ratios may be to the casual F1 fan, the furore surrounding their policing in the last two months has been a perfect example of F1 politicking.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Among the factors considered were training hours required, education mandates and child-to-staff ratio demands.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
The plan is to maintain these ratios as the staff size increases.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 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 5 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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