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
The pact requires the 27 EU members to have a budget deficit no greater than 3% of GDP and public debt-to-GDP ratio of 60% or lower.
—
Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 June 2024
The two-ounce weight and 15-inch width of this pillow is aligned with the lightest pillows on the market and has a killer size-to-weight ratio.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2024
The report measures affordability using a price-to-income ratio of the median house price divided by the gross median household income.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 14 June 2024
Recent data from the Federal Reserve and an analysis of internet search trends by commercial collection agency The Kaplan Group point to how rising debt burdens are distributed across states, based on the debt-to-income ratio in each state on a monthly basis.
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for ratio 
Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 June 2024
The two-ounce weight and 15-inch width of this pillow is aligned with the lightest pillows on the market and has a killer size-to-weight ratio.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2024
The report measures affordability using a price-to-income ratio of the median house price divided by the gross median household income.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 14 June 2024
Recent data from the Federal Reserve and an analysis of internet search trends by commercial collection agency The Kaplan Group point to how rising debt burdens are distributed across states, based on the debt-to-income ratio in each state on a monthly basis.
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 13 June 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 4 Jul. 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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