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
Marc Silver, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
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, 25 Apr. 2025
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Outside the away end, which is full and loud throughout, defiance is rationed.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ration
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Noun
Food rations at Kakuma refugee camp have been significantly cut as a result of the U.S. cutting aid to the World Food Programme.
—Marc Silver, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
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, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
During World War II, the government halted the manufacturing of civilian cars and rationed the vehicles that were left for sale, compelling Americans to take mass transit in record numbers.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Outside the away end, which is full and loud throughout, defiance is rationed.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 8 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 4 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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