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

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

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

Rhymes with PROPORTION

abortion, apportion, contortion, distortion, extortion