ra·tion 
(răshən, rāshən)
(răshən, rāshən)n.
1. A fixed portion, especially an amount of food allotted to persons in military service or to civilians in times of scarcity.
2. rations Food issued or available to members of a group.
tr.v. ra·tioned, ra·tion·ing, ra·tions
1. To supply with rations.
2.
a. To distribute as rations: rationed out flour and sugar.
b. To restrict to limited allotments, as during wartime: ration gasoline. See Synonyms at distribute.
[French, from Latin ratiō, ratiōn-, calculation; see RATIO.]