pro rata
adverb
-ˈrä-
-ˈra-
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The Latin phrase prō ratā, meaning "in proportion," is a shortening of prō ratā parte/portiōne, meaning "according to the fixed proportion." English users borrowed the shorter phrase in the 16th century, dropping the diacritics along the way, and began applying the term in contexts formal enough that Latin doesn't seem too out of place: in finance and law. There pro rata refers to distributing or allocating a quantity proportionately—for example, dividing up an annual interest rate pro rata into monthly rates; distributing pro rata a profit amongst shareholders; paying part-time employees pro rata (according to full-time pay); or allocating liability for a defective product pro rata. In the early 19th century, pro rata demonstrated its usefulness as an adjective, as in "a pro rata share" or "pro rata distribution." The verb prorate (based on pro rata) followed soon thereafter. Incidentally, the familiar noun and verb rate (as in "tax rates" and "rating on a scale of 1 to 5") also trace back to Latin prō ratā parte, but they entered the language back in the 15th century by way of Anglo-French.
Examples of pro rata in a Sentence
Joe Cornell, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
When asked about the comments, Farage noted how British troops had stood alongside the U.S. for the last two decades making the same pro rata contribution as the U.S. in troops and expenditure for its size.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
The other investors and buyers who put down deposits will be treated equally and reimbursed from the sales proceeds pro rata.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
Instead, the spokesman pointed to federal data showing New York sitting at 39 in terms of pro rata nursing home deaths.
—Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pro rata
Cite this Entry
“Pro rata.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pro%20rata. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pro rata
adverb
-ˈrät-ə
Legal Definition
pro rata
adverb
Latin
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