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, 29 June 2025
That small gift had helped his family extend their rations by one day.
—Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 12 June 2025
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
That means climbing is not just about moving forward, but also planning your route accordingly and rationing resources and stamina.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 8 June 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, 29 June 2025
That small gift had helped his family extend their rations by one day.
—Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 12 June 2025
Verb
Their characters inject so much energy into the movie that Boyle and Garland seem to be rationing their best material as strictly as Spike denies himself that slice of pork.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
That means climbing is not just about moving forward, but also planning your route accordingly and rationing resources and stamina.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 8 June 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 8 Jul. 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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