rations
n. plural-onlyn. a fixed amount of food, fuel, or other supplies allowed to each person. You usually see this during a war or an emergency when there is not enough for everyone.
n. a fixed allowance of provisions or food, especially for soldiers or civilians during a shortage. Often used in the plural to refer to the total supply of food available for a specific period.
The soldiers received their daily rations of bread and water.
During the long drought, the government had to issue emergency water rations to every household in the district.
As the siege continued into its second month, the commander was forced to reduce the daily rations to a level that barely sustained the physical health of the garrison.
Usually appears in the plural form when referring to the actual supplies; the singular form refers to the specific portion size.