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
Joel Schwartz found that mitigating lead in American water would actually save more than $8 billion a year in health benefits and at least $2 billion more in infrastructure costs, at a benefit-to-cost ratio of 35 to 1.
—
TIME, 2 May 2024
Some boast about the steeping time, yet the flavor of the finished brew is lacking, likely because the beans to coffee ratio is off or the process is flawed.
—Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ratio 
TIME, 2 May 2024
Some boast about the steeping time, yet the flavor of the finished brew is lacking, likely because the beans to coffee ratio is off or the process is flawed.
—Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, 2 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.
Articles Related to ratio
Dictionary Entries Near ratio
Cite this Entry
“Ratio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratio. Accessed 6 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share