prorate

verb

pro·​rate (ˌ)prō-ˈrāt 

ˈprō-ˌrāt

prorated; prorating

transitive verb

: to divide, distribute, or assess proportionately

intransitive verb

: to make a pro rata distribution

proration

prō-ˈrā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• administer
• allocate
• apportion
• deal (out)
• dispense
• distribute
• dole out
• hand out
• mete (out)
• parcel (out)
• portion

Examples of prorate in a Sentence

The player's annual salary was prorated because he only played for the last three months of the season.

shares in the company's profits were prorated according to the workers' length of service

Recent Examples on the Web

This means the Sky will have to waive at least one player to bring in a new guard on a rest-of-season contract, which is prorated based on the amount of time a player serves with a team. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025

Customers with recalled air conditioners may contact Midea for a free repair or a full or prorated refund based on the purchase date or the date the product was made. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 7 June 2025

Customers with recalled air conditioners must contact Midea, the company said, for a free repair or a full or prorated refund based on the purchase date or the date the product was made. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 7 June 2025

The cruise tax will also be 11 percent, prorated for the number of days the ships are in Hawai’i ports. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 2 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

pro rata

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for prorate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

prorate

verb

pro·​rate (ˈ)prō-ˈrāt 

prorated; prorating

: to divide or spread proportionately

prorate a weekly wage for three days of work

proration

prō-ˈrā-shən 

noun