1
a
: a food allowance for one day
b
2
: a share especially as determined by supply
rationed; rationing
ˈra-sh(ə-)niŋ 
ˈrā-
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
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
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
Different NGOs and funders took on different parts: Doctors Without Borders, the World Health Organization and other organizations ran treatment centers; the United Nations’ World Food Program delivered food rations to quarantined families; the Red Cross oversaw burials.
—Mara Kardas-Nelson, The Dial, 8 Apr. 2025
Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
One day, someone told my mom that salt was going to be rationed.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ration
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Noun
With the switch, the five years’ worth of orders under NSSF Phase 2 have ULA with 25 missions ordered to SpaceX’s 23 missions, for what was originally targeted to be a 60% to 40% order ration in favor of ULA.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
Different NGOs and funders took on different parts: Doctors Without Borders, the World Health Organization and other organizations ran treatment centers; the United Nations’ World Food Program delivered food rations to quarantined families; the Red Cross oversaw burials.
—Mara Kardas-Nelson, The Dial, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
The World Food Programme (WFP) said this week its warehouses are now empty; soup kitchens that are still running are severely rationing their last stocks; and what little food remains in Gaza’s markets is being sold for exorbitant prices that most cannot afford.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
One day, someone told my mom that salt was going to be rationed.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ration
Cite this Entry
“Ration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ration. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
2 of 2 transitive verb
rationed; rationing
ˈrash-(ə-)niŋ
ˈrāsh-
ˈrāsh-
: to supply with or put on rations
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