-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
apportion
verb
ap·por·tion
ə-ˈpȯr-shən
apportioned; apportioning
ə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)niŋ
: to divide and share out according to a plan
especially
: to make a proportionate division or distribution of
Representatives are apportioned among the states.
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
Advertisement There have been persistent disagreements about how triggers for water cutbacks should be determined and how those reductions should be apportioned.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024
Ford Is Not Alone However, some the blame for Ford's and the wider EV industry's problems is being apportioned to draconian European climate targets as well.
—Gaurav Sharma, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Rubio has apportioned the blame for the recent misery in the region to Iran's leadership.
—Billal Rahman, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Self-interest in apportioning scarce resources for development would not be a sin (although the United States must continue to offer humanitarian assistance after natural disasters or emergencies wherever it is needed).
—Robert M. Gates, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2020
See all Example Sentences for apportion
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of apportion was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing apportion
Dictionary Entries Near apportion
Cite this Entry
“Apportion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apportion. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
apportion
verb
ap·por·tion
ə-ˈpōr-shən
-ˈpȯr-
apportioned; apportioning
-sh(ə-)niŋ
: to divide and distribute in proportion
apportionment
noun
-shən-mənt
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
More from Merriam-Webster on apportion
Nglish: Translation of apportion for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of apportion for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share