proportion

¹pro·por·tion

noun \prə-ˈpȯr-shən\

Definition of PROPORTION

1

: harmonious relation of parts to each other or to the whole : balance, symmetry

2

a : proper or equal share <each did her proportion of the work>

b : quota, percentage

3

: the relation of one part to another or to the whole with respect to magnitude, quantity, or degree : ratio

4

: size, dimension

5

: a statement of equality between two ratios in which the first of the four terms divided by the second equals the third divided by the fourth (as in 4/2=10/5) — compare extreme 1b, mean 1c

— in proportion

: proportional 1

Examples of PROPORTION

1. His ears were drawn out of proportion with his head.
2. The size of the window seems out of proportion with the height of the wall.

Origin of PROPORTION

Middle English proporcion, from Anglo-French, from Latin proportion-, proportio, from pro for + portion-, portio portion — more at for

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PROPORTION

Synonyms

balance, coherence, concinnity, consonance, consonancy, orchestration, harmony, symmetry, symphony, unity

Antonyms

asymmetry, discordance, disproportion, disunity, imbalance, incoherence, violence

Related Words

coordination, correlation, correspondence, equalization, equilibrium, evenness, order, orderliness, regularity, uniformity

Near Antonyms

confusion, disorganization, dissonance, disturbance, tension; disconnectedness, disjointedness, incompatibility; irregularity, unevenness

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with PROPORTION

abortion, apportion, contortion, distortion, extortion

²proportion

transitive verb

pro·por·tionedpro·por·tion·ing \-sh(ə-)niŋ\

Definition of PROPORTION

1

: to adjust (a part or thing) in size relative to other parts or things

2

: to make the parts of harmonious or symmetrical

3

: apportion, allot

First Known Use of PROPORTION

14th century