ration
n.a fixed amount of food, fuel, or other supplies allowed to one person. This usually happens during a time of shortage, like a war.
n.a fixed portion of a commodity allowed to an individual during a period of shortage. Often used in military or emergency contexts to ensure equitable distribution of scarce resources.
“Each soldier receives a daily ration of bread and water.”
“During the long drought, the government introduced a strict water ration for every household in the city.”
“The humanitarian agency struggled to deliver the full weekly ration to the refugees due to the deteriorating security situation along the border.”
Often used in the plural ('rations') when referring to a person's total supply of food.
“After the second world war, sugar remained rationed in Britain for several years.”
From French ration. Doublet of reason and ratio.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.