ration

/ˈræʃɪn/

/ˈræʃən/

Other forms: rations; rationing

When you ration your supplies, you dole them out a little at a time. A ration is also a wartime military meal, or the portion of food that someone is allowed in times of scarcity.

A ration is the fixed portion of food or other goods allowed to each person in times of shortages. In the military, a soldier’s meal is called a ration, especially if it’s portable. As a verb, to ration something is to allow each person to have only a specific amount. During times of war many things have been rationed: gas, rubber, luxury items, and food. If you are diabetic, you need to strictly ration your sugar intake.

Definitions of ration

1. noun

   a fixed portion that is allotted (especially in times of scarcity)
   type of:

   part, percentage, portion, share

   assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group
2. noun

   the food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)
   “the rations should be nutritionally balanced”

   types:

   field ration

   rations issued for United States troops in the field

   K ration

   a small package of emergency rations; issued to United States troops in World War II

   C-ration

   a canned field ration issued by the United States Army

   type of:

   fare

   the food and drink that are regularly served or consumed
3. verb

   restrict the consumption of a relatively scarce commodity, as during war
   “Bread was rationed during the siege of the city”

   type of:

   circumscribe, confine, limit

   restrict or confine
4. verb

   distribute in rations, as in the army
   synonyms: ration out

   type of:

   allocate, apportion

   distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose