ratio

noun

ra·​tio ˈrā-shē-ˌō How to pronounce ratio (audio)
-(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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The debt-to-equity ratio of 13.4% remains well below the S&P 500 average of 19.4%, indicating conservative financial management and reduced leverage risk. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 The club touted its personnel expense-to-revenue ratio of 43%, a four percentage point improvement versus the previous season. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 21 July 2025 The deal’s completion is a win for arbitrage traders who were betting on the spread between Hess’s share price and the exchange ratio agreed with Chevron. Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 19 July 2025 Compared to the free air and 50/50 ratio, the progeny exposed to the 30/70 ratio showed a much larger reduction in cranial width and height. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ratio

Word History

Etymology

Latin, computation, reason — more at reason entry 1

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ratio was in 1660

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ratio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratio. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

ratio

noun
ra·​tio ˈrā-shō How to pronounce ratio (audio)
-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
plural ratios
: the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things see sex ratio

More from Merriam-Webster on ratio

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