to ration

Examples

• All

• A country that grew up and grew rich on beef is rationing it!

  Academic text (2004)

• We've had to ration water in the Valley and the farmers are desperate.

  Chinatown (1974)

• Hey everyone, we need to ration our food until we can call for help.

• We're also gonna have to ration food and water.

  Plane (2023)

• But we'll be careful and ration what we have.

  Alive (1993)

• Okay big guy, I know you like to eat, but we need to ration our food.

  Bigfoot Family (2020)

• This is the cruel reality of the NHS having to ration treatment due to funding cuts.

• Germany rations power as Russia cuts gas supplies.

• It's all I've got left, and I'm trying to ration it.

  Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

• In these drier periods, they need to ration water and use it carefully for some days until another source is found.

  Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

L

to limit

vsto ration

∞ 2.1

To control how much or how often something happens

adds the action of giving fixed portions when supplies run short

R

to restrict

vsto ration

361 3.1

Limit how much people can use or access something

also distributes limited shares rather than only preventing use

A

to apportion

vsto ration

8 7.0

To divide something and give parts to different people or groups

adds the idea of fixed small shares when overall supply is low

R

to ration out

vsto ration

1 4.2

To give people small set amounts of things like food or water when supplies are low

focuses on limiting and giving fixed shares when supplies are scarce

P

to proportion

vsto ration

1 5.3

To divide something into parts according to a set share

allocates fixed limited amounts because there is not enough for everyone

Phrasal Verbs

R

to ration out

1 4.2

To give people small set amounts of things like food or water when supplies are low

Compounds

R

ration card

3 4.0

A government card that lets you buy limited goods like food or fuel during shortages

F

field ration

2 4.9

A packed meal that soldiers eat during military operations

C

C-ration

• Archaic

9.3

A canned meal given to American soldiers during wars

K

K ration

• Archaic

7.2

A small emergency pack of food for soldiers during war

How Restricted

to restrict

361 3.1

to ration

34 5.1

to allot

33 3.7

to distribute

87 2.0

Surface Forms

Etymology