ration

1 of 2

noun

ra·​tion ˈra-shən  ˈrā- 

1

a

: a food allowance for one day

b

rations plural : food, provisions

2

: a share especially as determined by supply

ration

2 of 2

verb

rationed; rationing ˈra-sh(ə-)niŋ 

ˈrā-

transitive verb

1

: to supply with or put on rations

2

a

: to distribute as rations

—often used with out

b

: to distribute equitably

c

: to use sparingly

Synonyms of ration

Verb

• allot
• allocate
• assign
• distribute

Examples of ration in a Sentence

Noun

The soldiers were given their rations for the day.

The horse was fed its ration of oats.

weekly sugar and butter rations

Verb

During the war, the government rationed gasoline.

the region has had to ration water during times of drought

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

So it was very often given to soldiers as part of their rations. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Eleanor Wilson didn’t fight, but her grave is marked as a Patriot for supplying war rations. — Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026

Verb

Other towns and cities are rationing water just in case. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 June 2026

That will add to the demand that’s snapping back as prices fall and governments ease rationing policies. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Latin ration-, ratio computation, reason

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ration

• C ration
• iron ration
• K ration

Rhymes for ration

• ashen
• fashion
• passion
• compassion
• internation

Kids Definition

ration

1 of 2 noun

ra·​tion ˈrash-ən  ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: a food allowance for one day

b

plural : provision entry 1 sense 2

2

: the amount one is allowed by authority

ration

2 of 2 verb

rationed; rationing ˈrash-(ə-)niŋ 

ˈrāsh-

1

: to control the amount one can use

during the war the government rationed gasoline

2

: to use sparingly

ration your water on the hike

Medical Definition

ration

1 of 2 noun

ra·​tion ˈrash-ən  ˈrā-shən 

: a food allowance for one day

ration

2 of 2 transitive verb

rationed; rationing ˈrash-(ə-)niŋ  ˈrāsh- 

: to supply with or put on rations