apportion

verb

ap·​por·​tion ə-ˈpȯr-shən How to pronounce apportion (audio)
apportioned; apportioning ə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce apportion (audio)

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 adjective

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 Educational opportunity is still apportioned mostly by parents’ ability to pay for housing in desirable ZIP codes. Dana Goldstein, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 For the county, the challenge of obtaining permanent housing is compounded by the need to apportion its efforts over more than 80 cities and a tangle of unincorporated areas between them. Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023 But as the warming climate intensifies the state’s cycles of flood and drought, its system for apportioning water is under strain. Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2024 There are still plenty of issues to work through, including where new regulatory authorities should be housed, what role third-party auditors can play, what transparency requirements should look like, and how to apportion liability when things go wrong. Helen Toner, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2023 The legal fight has been complicated by disputes among agricultural landowners over how the cuts should be apportioned. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023 The trustees of the joint fund will have to decide exactly how to apportion the money, as that formula is not set down in the tentative agreement. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Nov. 2023 Asked Saturday how the workload at outside linebacker will be apportioned, Harbaugh suggested the Ravens are now in ideal position not to overwork any of their top edge rushers. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 2023 This change arrives about 11 months after Musk launched paid verification for Twitter Blue, apportioning blue checkmark labels to people willing to part with $7.99 per month. Richard Lawler, The Verge, 10 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apportion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near apportion

Cite this Entry

“Apportion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apportion. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

apportion

verb
ap·​por·​tion ə-ˈpōr-shən How to pronounce apportion (audio)
-ˈpȯr-
apportioned; apportioning -sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce apportion (audio)
: to divide and distribute in proportion
apportionment
-shən-mənt
noun

Legal Definition

apportion

transitive verb
ap·​por·​tion ə-ˈpȯr-shən How to pronounce apportion (audio)
: 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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