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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of apportion¹

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

Example Sentences

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

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“Because you have an intentional criminal act,” he said, “liability would have to be apportioned between the bad actors.”

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

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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.

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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.

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Related Words

• administer 
• allocate 
• allot 
• distribute 
• divvy up www.thesaurus.com