quotient

noun

quo·​tient ˈkwō-shənt 

1

: the number resulting from the division of one number by another

2

: the numerical ratio usually multiplied by 100 between a test score and a standard value

3

: quota, share

4

: the magnitude of a specified characteristic or quality

the celebrity's likability quotient is high

Examples of quotient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Home cooks, chefs, and street vendors across China and Taiwan have their own takes on the centuries-old recipe: some add soy sauce to the brew, others up the sweet and spicy quotient by mixing in sugar and peppercorns. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 15 Jan. 2025

Finally, 'high tech impact' looked at high-tech GDP growth from both 2022 to 2023 and 2018 to 2022, the number of high-tech industries, and high-tech GDP location quotient. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025

Under that calculation, if the state had used the new quotient, property tax levies would, on average, be 6% lower, Ricci said. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025

The resulting quotient is then rounded to the nearest 100,000. —Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English quocient, modification of Latin quotiens how many times, from quot how many

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing quotient

• emotional quotient
• intelligence quotient
• quotient group
• quotient ring
• respiratory quotient

Kids Definition

quotient

noun

quo·​tient ˈkwō-shənt 

: the number resulting from the division of one number by another

dividing 10 by 5 gives a quotient of 2

Etymology

Middle English quocient, an altered form of Latin quotiens "how many times?"

Medical Definition

quotient

noun

quo·​tient ˈkwō-shənt 

: the numerical ratio usually multiplied by 100 between a test score and a measurement on which that score might be expected largely to depend