apportionment

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

noun

1. the act of apportioning.
2. the determination of the number of members of the U.S. House of Representatives according to the proportion of the population of each state to the total population of the U.S.
3. the apportioning of members of any other legislative body.

apportionment

1. The allocation of seats in a legislature or of taxes according to a plan. In the United States Congress , for example, the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives is based on the relative population of each state, whereas the apportionment in the Senate is based on equal representation for every state. ( See also gerrymander .)

Other Words From

• nonap·portion·ment noun
• proap·portion·ment adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apportionment¹

First recorded in 1620–30; apportion + -ment

Example Sentences

Republicans in Nebraska are also considering a last-minute change to how the state divvies up Electoral College votes, seeking a winner-takes-all allocation over the current congressional district-based apportionment.

From Salon

The bill is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, the White House opposes it and there are legal questions because the Constitution says all people should be counted during the apportionment process.

From Seattle Times

Even if the delegate apportionment reflected Republican voters' preferences in perfect proportion, the system has yet another inherent flaw.

From Salon

Because of a 1960s Supreme Court ruling, the apportionment of state Senate seats is based on population, not geography.

From Los Angeles Times

The building buyout comes on top of national church requirements for exiting congregations to contribute two years of annual apportionments — $200,000 in Oakland’s case — and money for unfunded pension liabilities, Mr. Baker said.

From Washington Times