apportion

[ uh-pawr-shuhn, uh-pohr- ]

verb (used with object)

1. to distribute or allocate proportionally; divide and assign according to some rule of proportional distribution:

   to apportion expenses among the three men.

apportion

/ əˈpɔːʃən /

verb

1. tr to divide, distribute, or assign appropriate shares of; allot proportionally

   to apportion the blame

Derived Forms

• apˈportionable, adjective
• apˈportioner, noun

Other Words From

• ap·portion·a·ble adjective
• ap·portion·er noun
• nonap·portion·a·ble adjective
• unap·portioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apportion¹

1565–75; < Middle French apportionner, equivalent to ap- ap- ¹ + portionner to portion

Example Sentences

This is because both citizens and noncitizens are counted in the census and this data is then used to apportion seats.

From Salon

Attempts by politicians to apportion blame for high inflation, or claim credit for it falling, should be treated with caution.

From BBC

Wonderful’s pistachio and almond orchards have complicated efforts to apportion water among the state’s competing stakeholders.

From Los Angeles Times

Researchers said the aim of the study was not to apportion blame, but to find out why veterans were slipping through the net, and help to create a "safety blanket" instead to protect them.

From BBC

And they gave NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan responsibility for deciding how to apportion the cut, noting that he needn’t give special treatment to TIP, which was envisioned to grow rapidly under legislation previously passed by Congress.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• administer
• allocate
• allot
• distribute
• divvy up