1. fixed amounts of food or other supplies allocated to each person during shortages or in the military

1. to restrict the supply of something by allowing only fixed amounts

Examples

• During the war, families received weekly rations of bread and meat.
• The soldiers carried three days' worth of rations in their packs.
• The government had to ration gasoline during the fuel crisis.
• Emergency rations were distributed to flood victims.
• The captain decided to ration the water supply among the crew.
• Each prisoner received daily rations of rice and vegetables.
• The store began to ration toilet paper during the shortage.