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
Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The number of African countries with debt-to-GDP rations surpassing 60% has more than quadrupled from 6 to 27 between 2013 and 2023, the report said.
—Natasha Turak, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024
What the film seems to be saying is that in buying into the lie that a child (or anyone) could survive in the lower levels of the Pit, the inmates are taking the onus of survival off the one percent rationing out the resources and putting it on themselves.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ration 
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Noun
The largest American drone manufacturer announced Wednesday it is being forced to ration batteries for its customers due to supply constraints caused by Chinese government sanctions.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The number of African countries with debt-to-GDP rations surpassing 60% has more than quadrupled from 6 to 27 between 2013 and 2023, the report said.
—Natasha Turak, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
This situation has led some hospitals to ration IV fluids and postpone elective surgeries and other procedures.
—Peter Sullivan, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024
What the film seems to be saying is that in buying into the lie that a child (or anyone) could survive in the lower levels of the Pit, the inmates are taking the onus of survival off the one percent rationing out the resources and putting it on themselves.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ration
Dictionary Entries Near ration
Cite this Entry
“Ration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ration. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
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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