ration

[ rash-uhn, rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. a fixed allowance of provisions or food, especially for soldiers or sailors or for civilians during a shortage:

   a daily ration of meat and bread.

   Synonyms: allotment, portion

2. an allotted amount:

   They finally saved up enough gas rations for the trip.

   Synonyms: allotment, portion

3. rations,
   1. provisions:

      Enough rations were brought along to feed all the marchers.

   2. Chiefly South Atlantic States. food or meals:

      The old hotel still has the best rations in town.

verb (used with object)

1. to supply, apportion, or distribute as rations (often followed by out ):

   to ration out food to an army.

   Synonyms: allot, dole, mete

2. to supply or provide with rations:

   to ration an army with food.

3. to restrict the consumption of (a commodity, food, etc.):

   to ration meat during war.

4. to restrict the consumption of (a consumer):

   The civilian population was rationed while the war lasted.

ration

/ ˈræʃən /

noun

1. 1. a fixed allowance of food, provisions, etc, esp a statutory one for civilians in time of scarcity or soldiers in time of war

      a tea ration

   2. ( as modifier )

      a ration book

2. a sufficient or adequate amount

   you've had your ration of television for today

verb

1. often foll by out to distribute (provisions), esp to an army
2. to restrict the distribution or consumption of (a commodity) by (people)

   the government has rationed sugar

   sugar is short, so I'll have to ration you

Other Words From

• un·rationed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ration¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from French, from Latin ratiōn- (stem of ratiō ); reason

Word History and Origins

Origin of ration¹

C18: via French from Latin ratiō calculation; see reason

Synonym Study

See food.

Example Sentences

The report notes only a third of respondents “were actively engaged in economic activity at the time of the study, a majority depended on the food rations distributed in the camp.”

From Washington Blade

Unable to feed themselves, they were dependent on rations promised under treaties with the US—rations that were frequently late or stolen.

From MIT Technology Review

When 48-year-old Milan Kumar Jha read about the Narendra Modi government’s “One Nation One Ration” scheme in a newspaper in February, he immediately rushed to the nearest government ration shop.

From Quartz

This is because, until recently, ration beneficiaries in India could only draw grain from the ration shop where they are registered, usually the one closest to their native homes.

From Quartz

In addition to field-tested recipes, the book contains advice on on how to pack and ration supplies, as well as nutrition tips for long-distance hiking.

From Outside Online

And when word of that economic debacle spread, the government said it would ration imports of newsprint.

From The Daily Beast

This is the relevant passage: And who will suffer the most when they ration care?

From The Daily Beast

That first couple of weeks, before any contact had been made, they survived on what was meant to be a two-day ration of food.

From The Daily Beast

I had a pleasant little dinner last night on Ration Beef at the General's.

From Project Gutenberg

Our ration at this time consisted of raw corn-meal and sorghum molasses, without salt or any provision of utensils for cooking.

From Project Gutenberg

She brings breakfast of coffee without milk and an omelette, but we always have our ration of bacon as well.

From Project Gutenberg

The general served out a small ration of water and rum, every drop of which was precious.

From Project Gutenberg

All summer we have had three calves that came to the orchard fence twice a day to get their ration of skim milk and feeding flour.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allowance
• consignment
• quota