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compression ratio

American  

noun

Automotive.
  1. the ratio of the cylinder volume enclosed by the piston at its outermost position to the volume enclosed by it at its innermost position.


compression ratio British  

noun

  1. the ratio of the volume enclosed by the cylinder of an internal-combustion engine at the beginning of the compression stroke to the volume enclosed at the end of it

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of compression ratio

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

From 1 June, the compression ratio will be measured at 130C as well as ambient temperature, and from next year only at 130C.

From BBC Feb. 28, 2026

The compression ratio is a measurement of the cylinder displacement between the two extremes of the piston stroke.

From BBC Feb. 18, 2026

And it's not only on compression ratio, but on other things too.

From BBC Feb. 2, 2026

Audi, Ferrari and Honda have complained to governing body the FIA because they believe Mercedes have found a loophole in the rule regarding compression ratio.

From BBC Feb. 2, 2026

Any desired ideal efficiency may be obtained from any of the cycles by selecting a suitable compression ratio.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 4 "G" to "Gaskell, Elizabeth" by Various

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