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

Government ration books that once provided for a healthy diet and kept families fully fed for a month are now shrinking. —Danica Coto, Fortune, 3 May 2026

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, 1 May 2026

Verb

Energy prices in Asia have risen by almost 70% in some places since the start of the war, forcing countries like Cambodia and Vietnam to ration energy and introduce fuel subsidies. —Wendy Cutler, Fortune, 2 May 2026

Customers who testified before the North Carolina Utilities Commission described already rationing heat, keeping lights off, combining errands to save gas and watching paychecks disappear under the weight of groceries, prescriptions and utility bills. —Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 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
• aurignacian
• internation
• compassion

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