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
Because schools are required to accept new students throughout the year, ratios and class size requirements can be difficult to balance.
—
Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024
Nearly one in 11 adult Californians do not know how to swim, according to a recent study.
California, which shares a coastline with the Pacific Ocean, boasts more than 3,000 lakes and a high pool-to-people ratio — 29 people for every swimming pool.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 June 2024
The decline helped lower a ratio closely watched by the Federal Reserve — the number of vacancies per unemployed worker — to the lowest level in nearly three years.
—Jarrell Dillard, Fortune, 4 June 2024
Say that your ratio is one unit of rapid-acting insulin per 15 g of carbohydrates.
—Lynne Peeples, Health, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ratio 
Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024
Nearly one in 11 adult Californians do not know how to swim, according to a recent study.
California, which shares a coastline with the Pacific Ocean, boasts more than 3,000 lakes and a high pool-to-people ratio — 29 people for every swimming pool.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 June 2024
The decline helped lower a ratio closely watched by the Federal Reserve — the number of vacancies per unemployed worker — to the lowest level in nearly three years.
—Jarrell Dillard, Fortune, 4 June 2024
Say that your ratio is one unit of rapid-acting insulin per 15 g of carbohydrates.
—Lynne Peeples, Health, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ratio
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ratio.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Ratio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratio. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.
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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