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 of ration

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

Equity investors are watching the bond market ration capital through higher yields to the public and private sectors. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

During the day, the menu reclaims fry bread, a dish with a knotty history among Indigenous groups, as they were forced to adapt to US government rations when forcibly displaced from their homes. — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Verb

Soon the family are rationing and saving seeds from tomatoes. — Solitaire Townsend, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

People were already living without water Puerto Ricans have dealt with water-rationing before, including during a drought in 2015 that left 400,000 customers receiving water service every third day, and again in 2020. — Ivis García, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

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
• compassion
• internation

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