ration

 
Pronunciation: /ˈraʃ(ə)n/

noun

  • a fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to each person during a time of shortage, as in wartime: 1947 saw the bread ration reduced
  • (rations) an amount of food supplied on a regular basis, especially to members of the armed forces during a war: British rations were highly prized by American soldiers refugees queued for their meagre rations
  • (rations) food; provisions: their emergency rations ran out
  • a fixed amount of a particular thing: holidaymakers who like a generous ration of activity

verb

[with object]
  • allow each person to have only a fixed amount of (a commodity): petrol was so strictly rationed that bikes were always in demand
  • (ration someone to) allow someone to have only (a fixed amount of a commodity): the population was rationed to four litres of water per person per day

Phrases

come up (or be given) with the rations

military slang (of a medal) be awarded automatically and without regard to merit: the British Military Cross didn’t come up with the rations

Origin:

early 18th century: from French, from Latin ratio(n-) 'reckoning, ratio'