Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

Ration Definition, Usage, and Common Phrases (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：allotted amount (ration)

ration 🔊

/ˈræʃ.ən/

n./vt.

A fixed, often small, amount of food, water, or fuel that is officially allowed to each person when there is not enough for everyone.

Ration definition illustrated: hands receiving a measured food packet during distribution.

allotted amount 🔊

➕

/əˈlɒtɪd əˈmaʊnt/

n./vt.

A fixed, limited quantity of essential goods like food or fuel distributed per person during shortages.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ratio' (calculation, reason) via French, meaning an allotted share or portion.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'RATIO' -> a calculated portion. Your RATION is your fair share or ratio of supplies.

📖 Example

During the long expedition, each team member received a daily ration of dried fruit and chocolate to keep their energy up. 🔊 During the long expedition, each team member received a daily allotted amount of dried fruit and chocolate to keep their energy up.

🔗 Collocations

daily ration – The fixed amount allowed for one day.

emergency ration – A reserved supply of food for critical situations.

ration card – An official document entitling the holder to receive rationed goods.

🔄 Synonyms

allowance (n.) – A limited amount of something permitted, especially within a set of rules.

quota (n.) – A fixed share of something that a person or group is entitled to receive.

portion (n.) – A part of a whole allocated to a person or group.

🚫 Antonyms

abundance (n.) – A very large quantity of something; plenty.

surplus (n.) – An amount of something left over when requirements have been met; an excess.

🌱 Derivatives

rationing (n.) – The controlled distribution of scarce resources.

rationed (adj.) – Distributed or available only in fixed, limited amounts.

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English in the 18th century from French, which got it from Latin 'ratio'. It originally referred to a military supply allowance. Its use became widespread during World War I and II due to government-mandated food rationing.

Meaning 2：control supply (ration)

ration 🔊

/ˈræʃ.ən/

n./vt.

To control the supply of something by giving each person only a fixed, limited amount.

Ration as a verb: controlling water supply by limiting flow into a cup.

control supply 🔊

➕

/kənˈtrəʊl səˈplaɪ/

n./vt.

To limit and distribute a resource by giving each person or group only a fixed, specific amount.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

We have to ration our drinking water carefully until the rescue team reaches us. 🔊 We have to control the supply of our drinking water carefully until the rescue team reaches us.

🔗 Collocations

ration food – To distribute food in limited, controlled amounts.

ration water – To restrict and manage the use of water.

strictly ration – To control the distribution of something with very tight limits.

🔄 Synonyms

allocate (v.) – To distribute resources or duties for a particular purpose.

dole out () – To distribute shares of something, often in a careful or limited way.

meter (v.) – To measure or regulate the flow or use of something.

🚫 Antonyms

lavish (v.) – To bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities.

squander (v.) – To waste something, especially money or time, in a reckless or foolish manner.