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
Synonyms
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
Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2024
But Guyana didn’t have the farms and factories to meet the demand, so people turned to the black market, waited in ration lines and went hungry.
—Gaiutra Bahadur Keisha Scarville, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Residents have endured weeks of shortages and local authorities have imposed rations.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 1 Mar. 2024
Ammunition is lacking, and so on imperilled frontlines, Ukraine must ration shells, while Moscow’s forces can even rely on top-ups from as far away as North Korea to keep their artillery stocked.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 19 Feb. 2024
Others elect to survive on camp rations rather than brave the ravages outside.
—Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Morocco's neighbors have chosen to ration water in varying ways.
—Sam Metz, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024
At times, her authorizations expired too quickly, leaving her short on supplies and forcing her to ration and seek donations on social media from other diabetes patients.
—Angela Hart, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023
Like many detainees, Jihan supplemented her rations using money earned from occasional jobs around the camp.
—Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Whether rationing precious ounces on a backpacking trip or carrying around for daily use, the minimalism of the Gerber Paraframe Mini Pocket Knife offers practicality and convenience.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2024
Ukrainian forces meanwhile are rationing artillery at the front and scaling back attempts to shoot down air attacks directed at Ukrainian cities.
—Missy Ryan, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
Ukrainian air defenders have also had to ration their interceptor missiles.
—Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024
For the daylong dive, Lieutenant Walsh had packed only 15 chocolate bars, which, given the new uncertainties, the men began to ration.
—William J. Broad, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
According to a news release from the task force, while the appeal is pending, only state funds can be used, meaning that work on the lakes and dams is rationed, starting now.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024
Ukrainian forces on the front line are already rationing ammunition, forcing commanders to make tough choices.
—Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2024
Currently, Kornbluth said, three out of five U.S. helium suppliers are rationing the element to prioritize life-or-death uses like MRI machines ahead of less-essential helium uses, like keeping party balloons afloat.
—Caroline Hopkins, NBC News, 25 Jan. 2024
Noun
Plumes of smoke always seem to be rising from somewhere in the distance, and apart from a few congregation zones—a makeshift campsite where kids play with abandon, a crowded block where desperate Brooklynites line up for water rations—the landscapes are eerily emptied out.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2024
But Guyana didn’t have the farms and factories to meet the demand, so people turned to the black market, waited in ration lines and went hungry.
—Gaiutra Bahadur Keisha Scarville, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Residents have endured weeks of shortages and local authorities have imposed rations.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 1 Mar. 2024
Ammunition is lacking, and so on imperilled frontlines, Ukraine must ration shells, while Moscow’s forces can even rely on top-ups from as far away as North Korea to keep their artillery stocked.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 19 Feb. 2024
Others elect to survive on camp rations rather than brave the ravages outside.
—Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Morocco's neighbors have chosen to ration water in varying ways.
—Sam Metz, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024
At times, her authorizations expired too quickly, leaving her short on supplies and forcing her to ration and seek donations on social media from other diabetes patients.
—Angela Hart, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023
Like many detainees, Jihan supplemented her rations using money earned from occasional jobs around the camp.
—Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Verb
Amid the season’s shortages, officials have resorted to rationing.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Whether rationing precious ounces on a backpacking trip or carrying around for daily use, the minimalism of the Gerber Paraframe Mini Pocket Knife offers practicality and convenience.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2024
Ukrainian forces meanwhile are rationing artillery at the front and scaling back attempts to shoot down air attacks directed at Ukrainian cities.
—Missy Ryan, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
Ukrainian air defenders have also had to ration their interceptor missiles.
—Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024
For the daylong dive, Lieutenant Walsh had packed only 15 chocolate bars, which, given the new uncertainties, the men began to ration.
—William J. Broad, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
According to a news release from the task force, while the appeal is pending, only state funds can be used, meaning that work on the lakes and dams is rationed, starting now.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024
Ukrainian forces on the front line are already rationing ammunition, forcing commanders to make tough choices.
—Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2024
Currently, Kornbluth said, three out of five U.S. helium suppliers are rationing the element to prioritize life-or-death uses like MRI machines ahead of less-essential helium uses, like keeping party balloons afloat.
—Caroline Hopkins, NBC News, 25 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing ration
Dictionary Entries Near ration
Cite this Entry
“Ration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ration. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on ration
Nglish: Translation of ration for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of ration for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share