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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
Each company’s latest one-year dividend-per-share growth is also greater than the index, while its dividend payout ratio is lower.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
The company sports a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 49 which is 2.0x the S&P 500.
—Adam Sarhan, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
The world's current support ratio is 6.5, meaning there are six working-age people supporting one elderly person.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Drain the water and refill the sink or basin using the same ratio of water to detergent.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
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Word History
Etymology
Latin, computation, reason — more at reason entry 1
First Known Use
1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing ratio
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 30 Jan. 2025.
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on ratio
Nglish: Translation of ratio for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of ratio for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ratio
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