apportion

verb

ap·​por·​tion ə-ˈpȯr-shən 

apportioned; apportioning ə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

: to divide and share out according to a plan

especially : to make a proportionate division or distribution of

Representatives are apportioned among the states.

apportionable

ə-ˈpȯr-shə-nə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of apportion

• allot
• assign
• allocate
• distribute

Examples of apportion in a Sentence

The proceeds from the auction will be apportioned among the descendants.

Apportion the expenses between the parties involved.

The agency apportions water from the lake to residents.

Recent Examples on the Web

On the edges of Beirut's stylish downtown area and the trendy Mar Mikhael neighborhood is the devastated port area, wrecked by a massive explosion in 2020, with efforts to apportion responsibility for the disaster allegedly repeatedly stymied by Hezbollah. —David Brennan, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026

In November 2025, the government introduced streaming service quotas dictating major players should apportion a part of their local revenues to original Australian stories. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026

Arizona says one of the proposals would essentially empty the Central Arizona Project Canal, while another would apportion shortages based not on water rights seniority but on proportional use, a switch-up that could help Arizona and hurt California. —Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 16 Feb. 2026

While no one is necessarily in the wrong here, a conflict of interest between fans and the club is a troubling symptom of an unhealthy organisation, and there is blame to be apportioned to the decision-makers whose mistakes have led Spurs to this juncture. —Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French aporcioner, apporcioner "to divide up, assess (a tax)," (also continental Middle French apporcionner), borrowed from Medieval Latin apportiōnāre, from Latin ap- ap- entry 1 + Medieval Latin portiōnāre "to divide into portions" — more at portion entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing apportion

• apportion blame

Rhymes for apportion

• abortion
• contortion
• distortion
• extortion
• proportion
• disproportion
• portion
• torsion

Kids Definition

apportion

verb

ap·​por·​tion ə-ˈpōr-shən 

-ˈpȯr-

apportioned; apportioning -sh(ə-)niŋ 

: to divide and distribute in proportion

apportionment

-shən-mənt

noun

Legal Definition

apportion

transitive verb

ap·​por·​tion ə-ˈpȯr-shən 

: to make a usually proportionate division or distribution of (an amount due) according to a plan: as

a

: to divide (an amount due in tax or other liability) among the parties responsible for respective shares of the payment compare contribution

b

: to assign (a portion of the consideration agreed to in a contract) as payment for the other party's partial performance

c

: to distribute (corporate dividends) based on some proportion

d

: to assign (legislative representatives and taxes) among the states as provided by law

apportionable adjective

apportionment noun