Dictionary

1portion

noun por·tion \ˈpr-shən\

: a part of a larger amount, area, etc.

: a part of something that is shared with other people

: the amount of food that is served to a person at one time

Full Definition of PORTION

1
:  an individual's part or share of something: as
a :  a share received by gift or inheritance
b :  dowry
c :  enough food especially of one kind to serve one person at one meal
2
:  an individual's lot, fate, or fortune :  one's share of good and evil
3
:  an often limited part of a whole
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Origin of PORTION

Middle English porcioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin portion-, portio; akin to Latin part-, pars part
First Known Use: 14th century

Synonym Discussion of PORTION

part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole. part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required <they ran only part of the way>. portion implies an assigned or allotted part <cut the pie into six portions>. piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole <a puzzle with 500 pieces>. member suggests one of the functional units composing a body <a structural member>. division applies to a large or diversified part <the manufacturing division of the company>. section applies to a relatively small or uniform part <the entertainment section of the newspaper>. segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage <the retired segment of the population>. fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off <only a fragment of the play still exists>.

fate, destiny, lot, portion, doom mean a predetermined state or end. fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome <the fate of the submarine is unknown>. destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end <the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world>. lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance <it was her lot to die childless>, portion implying the apportioning of good and evil <remorse was his daily portion>. doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate <if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain>.

Rhymes with PORTION

2portion

verb

: to divide (something) into parts and give those parts to people

por·tionedpor·tion·ing \-sh(ə-)niŋ\

Full Definition of PORTION

transitive verb
1
:  to divide into portions :  distribute <portioned out the food equally>
2
:  to allot a dowry to :  dower

First Known Use of PORTION

14th century
PORTIONS Defined for Kids

1portion

noun por·tion \ˈpōr-shən\

Definition of PORTION for Kids

1
:  a part or share of a whole
2
:  serving <a large portion of pasta>

2portion

verb
por·tionedpor·tion·ing

Definition of PORTION for Kids

:  to divide into parts :  distribute <Kimki portioned work for each one in the tribe … — Scott O'Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins>

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Next Word in the Dictionary: portionalPrevious Word in the Dictionary: portiforiumAll Words Near: portion
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