ration
noun
a fixed allowance of provisions or food, especially for soldiers or sailors or for civilians during a shortage.
had been rationing
-
past perfect progressiveof ration.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
He had been rationing his testosterone for months in preparation for the worst-case scenario: the last of his supply running out.
From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2023
She said during one of those checks, a neighbor found an elderly man inside his home, where, “for the last five days he had been rationing a frozen tamale.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 8, 2023
The man, aged in his thirties, had been rationing his electricity by using his kettle to bathe - turning on the immersion heater for a shower just once a fortnight.
From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2022
But her main worry was her 71-year-old mother, who had diabetes and had been rationing her insulin for days.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2020
The box of crackers I had been rationing is missing.
From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper
