Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
Rathlin Island
rathskeller
ratify
ratiné
rating
ratio
ratio scale
ratiocinate
ration
ration out
rational
rational choice theory
rational-emotive behavior therapy
rational expectation
rational horizon
rational number
rationale
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "ration" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

ration

ra·tion [ rásh'n, ráysh'n ]


noun  (plural ra·tions)
Definition:
 
1. fixed amount allocated to somebody: a fixed and limited amount of something, especially food, given or allocated to a person or group from the stocks available, especially during a time of shortage or a war

2. adequate amount: the amount of something that it seems fair or desirable for somebody to have
more than your ration of bad luck



plural noun ra·tions 
Definition:
 
amount of food officially allocated: food, especially an amount of food from a limited stock allocated to somebody such as a soldier or hiker



transitive verb  (past and past participle ra·tioned, present participle ra·tion·ing, 3rd person present singular ra·tions)
Definition:
 
1. restrict available amount of something: to restrict the amount of something, usually a commodity in short supply, that somebody is allowed to buy, consume, or use
Gasoline was rationed, so long trips were out of the question.

2. limit quantity available to somebody: to allow somebody only a limited quantity of something
rationed herself to one cup of coffee a day

[Early 18th century. Via French< Spanish ración< Latin ratio (see ratio)]
Englishtown: Learn English online
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Upgrade your Encarta experience
Encarta RSS Feeds
© 2008 Microsoft