apportion

American

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

verb (used with object)

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

to apportion expenses among the three men.

apportion British

/ əˈpɔːʃən /

verb

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

to apportion the blame

"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

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

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

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

The preliminary report states its role is "not to apportion blame or liability".

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023