K ration

noun

1. an emergency field ration formerly used for U.S. armed forces when other food or rations were not available, consisting of three separate packaged meals of concentrated or dehydrated food.

K ration

noun

1. a small package containing emergency rations used by US and Allied forces in the field in World War II

Word History and Origins

Origin of K ration¹

First recorded in 1940–45; K for Ancel Keys (1904–2004), American physiologist

Word History and Origins

Origin of K ration¹

C20: K , from the initial of the surname of Ancel Keys (1904–2004), US physiologist who instigated it

Example Sentences

Then he ate a whole tin of Cheddar cheese from a package of K rations.

From Literature

Keys already had gained fame for developing the K ration, the portable food packet carried by paratroopers and other GIs in combat during World War II.

From Washington Times

We sat in the bomb bays, eating C rations and K rations, the greatest invention of the war.

From Project Gutenberg