aspect ratio

noun

: a ratio of one dimension to another: such as
a
: the ratio of span to mean chord of an airfoil
b
: the width-to-height ratio of an image (as on a computer, television, or movie screen)

Examples of aspect ratio in a Sentence

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 prime way to see the movie is through 70mm IMAX — delivering an ultrasharp, massive physical film image with a taller aspect ratio that reveals up to 40% more picture than cropped digital or standard digital screens. — Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Videos can be reformatted from horizontal aspect ratios for distribution in vertical outlets such as YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. — David Bloom, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 To achieve this, the wings need a very high aspect ratio, which is, to put it very simply, the ratio between a wing's span and its average width from its leading edge to its trailing edge. — David Szondy august 04, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2026 While Imax offers a variety of screen options, including digital versions of the 70 mm aspect ratio, these viewings are often cropped to fit the auditorium in which they are being shown. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspect ratio

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aspect ratio was in 1907

Rhymes for aspect ratio

See All Rhymes for aspect ratio

Browse Nearby Words

aspection
aspect ratio
aspectual
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aspect ratio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspect%20ratio. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

aspect ratio

noun
: a comparison of one dimension (as width) to another (as height)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All