ration
RAY-shuhn
Ration (noun) means a fixed, limited amount of something, especially food, given out to each person. Example: “During the war, families received a weekly ration of sugar.”
noun
1
A fixed, limited amount of something, especially food, given out to each person.
"During the war, families received a weekly ration of sugar."
verb
1
To limit how much of something people can have, usually because supply is short.
"The government rationed gasoline during the crisis."
How to use ration
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA limited, fixed share of something, or the act of limiting supply.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
ration food
food rations
ration out
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Word forms
- Plural
- rations
- Third person singular
- rations
- Past tense
- rationed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
During the war, families received a weekly _____ of sugar.
Etymology
From French ration, ultimately from the same Latin root as "ratio" and "reason."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for ration
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for ration →
Frequently asked questions
What does “ration” mean?
The word “ration” means a fixed, limited amount of something, especially food, given out to each person. In plain terms, a limited, fixed share of something, or the act of limiting supply.
How do you pronounce “ration”?
“Ration” is pronounced RAY-shuhn (/ˈɹæʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “ration” in a sentence?
Here is “ration” used in a sentence: “During the war, families received a weekly ration of sugar.”
What is another word for “ration”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ration” include Hooverize.
What part of speech is “ration”?
Depending on how it is used, “ration” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ration” come from?
The word “ration” comes from Latin. From French ration, ultimately from the same Latin root as "ratio" and "reason.".
Is “ration” a common word?
“Ration” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “ration” have?
“Ration” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fixed, limited amount of something, especially food, given out to each person.
