/rash"euhn, ray"sheuhn/ , n.
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.
3. 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.
v.t.
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.
[ 1540-50; ration- (s. of ratio ); see REASON ]
Syn. 1, 2. portion, allotment. 1, 3 . See food. 4. mete, dole, allot.