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
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
The organization has delivered more than 223 tons of supplemental food and a million food rations, and its medical teams have treated more than 1,700 patients, according to the statement.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025
Ken Sweet, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ration
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Noun
Hudson was introduced to the organization by her longtime friend, designer Michael Kors, who enlisted her help raising funds for WFP’s school meals program, which provides students with food during the school day and with rations to take home to their families.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
The organization has delivered more than 223 tons of supplemental food and a million food rations, and its medical teams have treated more than 1,700 patients, according to the statement.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, banks are unable to order fresh pennies and are rationing pennies for their customers.
—Ken Sweet, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ration
Cite this Entry
“Ration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ration. Accessed 3 Nov. 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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