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
Sam Tupper, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
South America is experiencing unprecedented droughts that have caused wildfires, power cuts and water rationing across multiple cities.
—Marianne Lehnis, Forbes, 30 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
The analysis of a six-year period showed a 30% decrease in obesity risk for babies conceived or born during rationing, with a faster increase in type 2 diabetes and hypertension in those after the sugar ration ended.
—Sam Tupper, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
South America is experiencing unprecedented droughts that have caused wildfires, power cuts and water rationing across multiple cities.
—Marianne Lehnis, Forbes, 30 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 1 Dec. 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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