apportion

American  

[uh-pawr-shuhn, uh-pohr-] / əˈpɔr ʃən, əˈpoʊr- /

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.

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apportion British  

/ əˈpɔːʃən /

verb

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

   to apportion the blame

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Other Word Forms

• apportionable adjective
• apportioner noun
• nonapportionable adjective
• unapportioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of apportion

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

Example Sentences

The blame apportioned to these protests does not sit right with many, even some sections of the Jewish community.

From BBC

Because of that distrust, the founders carefully apportioned responsibility over the “militia” — today’s National Guard — between the federal government and the states.

From Salon

"This is new territory," Cortinas said, adding the role of Entso-e was "not to apportion blame to any party" over the cause.

From BBC

The White House says it intends to replace the current system, a random lottery apportioning available H-1B slots among all applicants, with one favoring applications to fill the highest-paid slots.

From Los Angeles Times

An FAI is a public examination of the circumstances of a death in the public interest before a sheriff, which does not apportion blame or fault.

From BBC

Related Words

• administer
• allocate
• allot
• distribute
• divvy up