ration

1 of 2

noun

ra·​tion ˈra-shən  ˈrā- 

1

a

: a food allowance for one day

b

rations plural : food, provisions

2

: a share especially as determined by supply

ration

2 of 2

verb

rationed; rationing ˈra-sh(ə-)niŋ 

ˈrā-

transitive verb

1

: to supply with or put on rations

2

a

: to distribute as rations

—often used with out

b

: to distribute equitably

c

: to use sparingly

Synonyms

Verb

• allot
• allocate
• assign
• distribute

Examples of ration in a Sentence

Noun

The soldiers were given their rations for the day.

The horse was fed its ration of oats.

weekly sugar and butter rations

Verb

During the war, the government rationed gasoline.

the region has had to ration water during times of drought

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To stretch our rations, my husband, our young daughter, my brother-in-law’s family of four, and my in-laws—eleven of us in total—decided to eat together. —Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025

The ration boxes meant to feed the hungry have become a generation’s economy. —Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025

Verb

In 2023, Newsom announced the state had partnered with drug manufacturer Civica to produce its own insulin as the lifesaving drug had skyrocketed in price, leading some diabetics to ration or forgo their daily shots. —Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2025

Well into the winter of 2022, major retailers like CVS and Walgreens were still rationing tests to favor adults, who were at greater risk of severe illness and death. —Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Latin ration-, ratio computation, reason

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ration

• C ration
• iron ration
• K ration

Rhymes for ration

• ashen
• fashion
• passion
• aurignacian
• internation
• compassion

Kids Definition

ration

1 of 2 noun

ra·​tion ˈrash-ən  ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: a food allowance for one day

b

plural : provision entry 1 sense 2

2

: the amount one is allowed by authority

ration

2 of 2 verb

rationed; rationing ˈrash-(ə-)niŋ 

ˈrāsh-

1

: to control the amount one can use

during the war the government rationed gasoline

2

: to use sparingly

ration your water on the hike

Medical Definition

ration

1 of 2 noun

ra·​tion ˈrash-ən  ˈrā-shən 

: a food allowance for one day

ration

2 of 2 transitive verb

rationed; rationing ˈrash-(ə-)niŋ  ˈrāsh- 

: to supply with or put on rations