proportion

1 of 2

noun

pro·​por·​tion prə-ˈpȯr-shən 

1

: harmonious relation of parts to each other or to the whole : balance, symmetry

2

a

: proper or equal share

each did her proportion of the work

b

: quota, percentage

3

: the relation of one part to another or to the whole with respect to magnitude, quantity, or degree : ratio

4

: size entry 1, dimension

5

: a statement of equality between two ratios in which the first of the four terms divided by the second equals the third divided by the fourth (as in 4/2=10/5) compare extreme sense 1b, mean sense 1c

proportion

2 of 2

verb

proportioned; proportioning prə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to adjust (a part or thing) in size relative to other parts or things

2

: to make the parts of harmonious or symmetrical

3

: apportion, allot

Phrases

in proportion

: proportional sense 1

Synonyms

Noun

• symmetry
• balance
• correlation
• orchestration
• harmony

Examples of proportion in a Sentence

Noun

His ears were drawn out of proportion with his head.

The size of the window seems out of proportion with the height of the wall.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The human toll runs deep as three-quarters say losing Medicaid would severely harm their financial well-being, with similar proportions reporting devastating effects on their quality of life, mental health and physical health. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025

UEs kept 2x – 7x the proportion of wealth created by delaying or avoiding VC. —Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Verb

The new Leaf is one size smaller than the Equinox EV, which is nearly identically proportioned to Tesla's Model Y SUV. —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

Generally, composite bats offer larger barrels while feeling lighter when swung because of how they are proportioned. —Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 30 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English proporcioun, proporcion "comparative relation in magnitude, ratio," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French proporcion, proporciun, borrowed from Latin prōportiōn-, prōportiō "analogy, proper spatial relation between parts" (Medieval Latin also "comparative relation in magnitude"), univerbation of prō portiōne "in the degree proper to each, proportionately" — more at portion entry 1

Verb

Middle English proporciounen "to compose (a mixture) according to proportions, measure (two things) in relation to each other, form according to proper proportions," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French proporcioner, borrowed from Medieval Latin prōportiōnāre, derivative of Latin prōportiōn-, prōportiō "analogy, proper spatial relation between parts" — more at proportion entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing proportion

• blow out of proportion
• get out of proportion
• in proportion to
• keep things in proportion
• out of proportion with

Rhymes for proportion

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

Kids Definition

proportion

1 of 2 noun

pro·​por·​tion p(r)ə-ˈpōr-shən 

-ˈpȯr-

1

: the size, number, or amount of one thing or group as compared to the size, number, or amount of another

the proportion of boys to girls in our class is three to one

2

: a balanced or pleasing arrangement

out of proportion

3

: a statement of the equality of two ratios (as ⁴⁄₂ = ¹⁰⁄₅) compare extreme entry 2 sense 2, mean entry 4 sense 2b

4

: a fair or just share

did our proportion of the work

5

: dimension sense 1b

a crisis of large proportions

the proportions of a room

proportion

2 of 2 verb

proportioned; proportioning

-sh(ə-)niŋ

1

: to adjust something to fit with something else

2

: to make the parts of go well with each other