: proportionately according to an exactly calculable factor (such as share or liability)
pro rata adjective

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The Latin phrase prō ratā, meaning "in proportion," is a shortening of prō ratā parte/portiōne, meaning "according to the fixed proportion." English users borrowed the shorter phrase in the 16th century, dropping the diacritics along the way, and began applying the term in contexts formal enough that Latin doesn't seem too out of place: in finance and law. There pro rata refers to distributing or allocating a quantity proportionately—for example, dividing up an annual interest rate pro rata into monthly rates; distributing pro rata a profit amongst shareholders; paying part-time employees pro rata (according to full-time pay); or allocating liability for a defective product pro rata. In the early 19th century, pro rata demonstrated its usefulness as an adjective, as in "a pro rata share" or "pro rata distribution." The verb prorate (based on pro rata) followed soon thereafter. Incidentally, the familiar noun and verb rate (as in "tax rates" and "rating on a scale of 1 to 5") also trace back to Latin prō ratā parte, but they entered the language back in the 15th century by way of Anglo-French.

Examples of pro rata in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Such a transaction is called pro rata, which allows an investor such as PIF to participate in future rounds of financing and retain its ownership stake. Michael Wayland, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024 Passive indices hold to their prescribed rules and buy or sell in a pro rata fashion as dollars flow in or out. Joel Shulman, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 The transaction was expected to be executed through distribution of shares of the Worldpay to FIS shareholders on pro rata basis. Joe Cornell, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024 The separation will occur through a pro rata distribution by 3M of at least 80.1% of the outstanding shares of the common stock of Solventum. Joe Cornell, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pro rata 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pro rata.' 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

Latin

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pro rata was in 1575

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Dictionary Entries Near pro rata

Cite this Entry

“Pro rata.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pro%20rata. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

pro rata

adverb
: in proportion to the share of each : proportionately
pro rata adjective

Legal Definition

pro rata

adverb
: proportionately according to an exactly calculable factor (as share or liability)
pro rata adjective
Etymology

Latin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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