- 1[countable] a fixed amount of food, fuel, etc. that you are officially allowed to have when there is not enough for everyone to have as much as they want, for example during a war the weekly butter ration a ration book/card/coupon (= allowing you to claim your ration of something)
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- 2rations [plural] a fixed amount of food given regularly to a soldier or to someone who is in a place where there is not much food available We're on short rations (= allowed less than usual) until fresh supplies arrive. Once these latest rations run out, the country will again face hunger and starvation.
- 3[singular] ration (of something) an amount of something that is thought to be normal or fair As part of the diet, allow yourself a small daily ration of sugar. I've had my ration of problems for one day—you deal with it!
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