apportion

[ uh-pawr-shuhn, uh-pohr- ]

verb (used with object)

1. to distribute or allocate proportionally; divide and assign according to some rule of proportional distribution:

   to apportion expenses among the three men.

apportion

/ əˈpɔːʃən /

verb

1. tr to divide, distribute, or assign appropriate shares of; allot proportionally

   to apportion the blame

Derived Forms

• apˈportionable, adjective
• apˈportioner, noun

Other Words From

• ap·portion·a·ble adjective
• ap·portion·er noun
• nonap·portion·a·ble adjective
• unap·portioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apportion¹

1565–75; < Middle French apportionner, equivalent to ap- ap- ¹ + portionner to portion

Example Sentences

Of course, we need to let the two armies investigate what exactly happened and apportion blame.

From The Daily Beast

Pundits love to apportion blame for partisan hostility equally to both sides.

From The Daily Beast

It takes time—sometimes a very long time—to apportion power among different groups within a nascent political system.

From The Daily Beast

A meeting of chiefs was held to apportion the work and divide the men into parties.

From Project Gutenberg

I noticed the manner in which thou didst apportion the pigeons, but said nothing; but the chicken, my dear sir!

From Project Gutenberg

But there are no fresh spoils to apportion, and the Over-Lord threatens to take the prize of one of his peers, even of Achilles.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Dillingham seemed to know exactly how to apportion the constantly arriving and departing guests.

From Project Gutenberg

On sledging journeys it is usual to apportion all food-stuffs in as nearly even halves as possible.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• administer
• allocate
• allot
• distribute
• divvy up