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

Native communities—who had been eating fresh, seasonal foods long before farmers’ markets were a thing—were now forced to stand in line for military rations, subsisting on commodity foods like white flour, sugar, and blocks of orange cheese. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

The gosiwon residents were delighted to supplement their rations with Bo’s regular food bonuses. — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026

Verb

Liliana returned to feeling demeaned and rationing her water intake. — Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 18 July 2026

Chips are being rationed; companies like Micron, the data-center dominator, and Applied Materials, which makes equipment for Micron, are, for the first time ever, getting long-term contracts for their wares. — Jim Cramer, Contributor, CNBC, 16 July 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