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ration
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As a noun, ration means a portion of some limited resource allocated to a person or group. As a verb, it means supply with a ration.
Meanings of ration
8 meaningsnoun
A portion of some limited resource allocated to a person or group.
The food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)food
“the rations should be nutritionally balanced”
A fixed portion that is allotted (especially in times of scarcity)
verb
To supply with a ration; to limit (someone) to a specific allowance of something.
“We rationed ourselves to three sips of water a day until we were rescued.”
To portion out (especially during a shortage of supply); to limit access to.
“By the third day on the raft, we had to ration our water.”
To restrict (an activity etc.)
“Our present health care system is rationed only to those who can afford it because of unnecessary high cost, lack of insurance coverage by 47 million people, and exorbitant prescription prices.”
Restrict the consumption of a relatively scarce commodity, as during war
“Bread was rationed during the siege of the city”
Distribute in rations, as in the army
“Cigarettes are rationed”
Similar: ration out
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).