ration
noun
a fixed allowance of provisions or food, especially for soldiers or sailors or for civilians during a shortage.
were rationing
-
past progressiveof ration.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
But in March, the Kenyan government stepped in because of the country's shortage of US dollars, which led to difficulties for all businesses importing goods as banks were rationing dollars.
From BBC ● Nov. 21, 2023
Most families anxiously hunted for water, with some saying they were rationing their supplies.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 27, 2023
The Seattle physicians and their lay colleagues were rationing a scarce supply of dialysis treatments.
From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2022
The state began sharing positive test result lists in the early days of Louisiana’s coronavirus outbreak, when first responders had shortages of personal protective equipment and were rationing masks, gloves and other gear.
From Washington Times ● Aug. 22, 2020
It was, by my count, Raftery’s only use of his famous phrase all night, as if he were rationing his bulbs.
From New York Times ● Apr. 7, 2015
