ration

A fixed amount of food or another limited supply that someone is allowed to have.

• We received our daily ration of rice.
• The soldiers carried enough rations for three days.
• Has everyone collected their water ration?

How to use it: ration of something (Each soldier received a ration of bread.)

Similar words: allowance, allotment, portion

Common phrases: daily ration, food ration, ration of something

To give people only a fixed amount of something because there is not enough for everyone.

• We must ration our water.
• The government rationed fuel during the shortage.
• Was sugar rationed during the war?

Similar words: limit, allocate

Common phrases: ration food, ration water, ration fuel

To allow yourself or someone else only a fixed amount of an activity or enjoyment.

• We ration the children's screen time.
• He rationed himself to one coffee break each morning.
• Should parents ration television during exam week?

How to use it: ration someone to something (She rationed herself to one hour of television a day.)

Similar words: limit, restrict, curb

Common phrases: ration screen time, ration yourself, ration someone's television