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
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
Jim Huylebroek, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Laws against begging are loosely enforced Philanthropy is especially evident during Ramadan, as charity organizations in Karachi provide food rations to the needy and free meals before and after the day-long fast.
—Betsy Joles, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025
Harry Enten, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Without showing the War, war is behind every frame of the films: the discussions between characters, rationing, the black market and the bomb sites.
—John Bleasdale, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ration
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Noun
The soldiers lived off special cold weather rations, higher in calories, because of all the energy drained from trying to stay warm.
—Jim Huylebroek, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Laws against begging are loosely enforced Philanthropy is especially evident during Ramadan, as charity organizations in Karachi provide food rations to the needy and free meals before and after the day-long fast.
—Betsy Joles, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
The result was that stores started rationing toilet paper.
—Harry Enten, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Without showing the War, war is behind every frame of the films: the discussions between characters, rationing, the black market and the bomb sites.
—John Bleasdale, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ration
Cite this Entry
“Ration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ration. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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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