gear ratio

noun

, Machinery.

1. the ratio of the rotational speeds of the first and final gears in a train of gears or of any two meshing gears.
2. the ratio of the diameters of the pitch surfaces of any two meshing gears or of the numbers of their teeth.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gear ratio¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Burgess had wanted an “air-cooled aviation engine,” but the Ford V-8 that they used was less powerful, and to arrive at the quoted figure, Fuller may have simply multiplied its specifications with the top gear ratio.

From Slate

Cowboy continues to deliver one of the most natural pedal-assisted ride experiences of any e-bike As for the ride, Cowboy’s own silent 250W rear-hub motor coupled with a new, longer-lasting Gates Carbon Belt drive and lower gear ratio produces a highly intuitive experience.

From The Verge

Cowboy continues to deliver one of the most natural pedal-assisted ride experiences of any e-bike As for the ride, Cowboy’s own silent 250W rear-hub motor coupled with a new, longer-lasting Gates Carbon Belt drive and lower gear ratio produces a highly intuitive experience.

From The Verge

The GT500’s fuel economy is a pretty dismal 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway, while the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye manages 13 mpg and 22 mpg, the latter thanks in part to a higher top gear ratio.

From Fox News

Turbo mode can quickly overwhelm the bike’s single-speed gear ratio, however.

From The Verge