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
Both diets had identical macronutrient ratios, but participants absorbed more energy overall from the Western diet.
—
Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2025
Neither should surprise anybody living in a metro area with a high rent/income ratio and in a state where half the residents are living without much cushion.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
The peak of the signal came in clean and, to the team’s delight, with an even higher signal-to-noise ratio than anticipated.
—ArsTechnica, 11 June 2025
Next year marks a big reset in F1, as new cars powered by an equal ratio of electric power and internal combustion on sustainable fuels will zip through Grand Prix circuits.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ratio
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.
Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2025
Neither should surprise anybody living in a metro area with a high rent/income ratio and in a state where half the residents are living without much cushion.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
The peak of the signal came in clean and, to the team’s delight, with an even higher signal-to-noise ratio than anticipated.
—ArsTechnica, 11 June 2025
Next year marks a big reset in F1, as new cars powered by an equal ratio of electric power and internal combustion on sustainable fuels will zip through Grand Prix circuits.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ratio
Cite this Entry
“Ratio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratio. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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