rationed definition | Dictionary.com

ra⋅tion

[rash-uh

n, rey-shuh

–noun

1.	a fixed allowance of provisions or food, esp. for soldiers or sailors or for civilians during a shortage: a daily ration of meat and bread.

2.	an allotted amount: They finally saved up enough gas rations for the trip.

rations,

a.	provisions: Enough rations were brought along to feed all the marchers.

b.	Chiefly South Atlantic States. food or meals: The old hotel still has the best rations in town.

–verb (used with object)

4.	to supply, apportion, or distribute as rations (often fol. by out): to ration out food to an army.

5.	to supply or provide with rations: to ration an army with food.

6.	to restrict the consumption of (a commodity, food, etc.): to ration meat during war.

7.	to restrict the consumption of (a consumer): The civilian population was rationed while the war lasted.

Origin:
1540–50; < F < L ratiōn- (s. of ratiō); see reason

Synonyms:
1, 2. portion, allotment. 1, 3. See food. 4. mete, dole, allot.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ra·tion (rāsh'ən, rā'shən)

A fixed portion, especially an amount of food allotted to persons in military service or to civilians in times of scarcity.
rations Food issued or available to members of a group.

tr.v. ra·tioned, ra·tion·ing, ra·tions

To supply with rations.
To distribute as rations: rationed out flour and sugar. See Synonyms at distribute.
To restrict to limited allotments, as during wartime.

[French, from Latin ratiō, ratiōn-, calculation; see ratio.]

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