ration
C1Formal / Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A fixed, often limited, amount of food, fuel, or another commodity allowed to each person or group, especially during times of shortage.
Any fixed, controlled, or limited allowance or share; the act or system of distributing scarce resources fairly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly associated with scarcity, control, and fair/equal distribution. The verb implies restriction and careful management.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or part of speech. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Both varieties strongly associate the word with war, emergencies, and scarcity.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English historical contexts (WWII), but contemporary usage is similar.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to ration somethingto ration something to somebodysomething is rationedration outVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on short rations”
- “tighten one's belt (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in supply chain discussions during crises (e.g., 'We may have to ration components due to the shortage').
Academic
Used in historical, economic, and sociological studies of resource distribution.
Everyday
Used for discussing dieting ('rationing sweets'), limited resources ('rationing screen time'), or historical reference.
Technical
Used in military logistics, disaster relief management, and public health during crises.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government had to ration petrol during the fuel crisis.
- She rations her weekly coffee intake to save money.
American English
- The city began to ration water during the severe drought.
- We need to ration our supplies until help arrives.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- (As part of compound noun: 'ration book', 'ration card'. Pure adjectival use is rare.)
American English
- (As part of compound noun: 'ration kit', 'ration coupon'. Pure adjectival use is rare.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Soldiers get a food ration every day.
- Please take your ration of bread.
- During the war, families received a weekly sugar ration.
- The doctor told him to ration his salt intake.
- The aid agency distributed emergency rations to the flood victims.
- Due to the drought, the council has imposed strict water rationing.
- The economic sanctions forced the country to ration essential medical supplies.
- He metered out his time with the meticulousness of one rationing a precious commodity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a RATIOn: a RATIO determines your fair share, just like a ration.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE LIMITED COMMODITIES / FAIR DISTRIBUTION IS MEASURED SHARING
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'рация' (walkie-talkie/radio). The Russian word 'рацион' is a direct cognate and matches the noun meaning perfectly.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'ration' to mean 'reason' (spelling confusion). Incorrect: 'The ration for my decision is clear.' Correct: 'The *reason* for my decision is clear.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for the word 'ration'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Both come from Latin 'ratio' meaning 'calculation, reason'. A 'ration' is a calculated share.
Yes, very commonly. It means 'to allow each person only a fixed amount of something' (e.g., 'to ration water').
A 'ration' implies a controlled, often limited, allowance due to scarcity. A 'portion' is simply a part or share of something, with no inherent sense of shortage or control.
It is most commonly pronounced to rhyme with 'fashion' (/ˈræʃən/). The pronunciation rhyming with 'nation' (/ˈreɪʃən/) is less common but also accepted.