a share or amount, e.g. of food in short supply, that somebody is allowed officially during a time of shortage, or that a person allows himself or herself

(in pl) regular supplies of food given to troops in wartime

(in pl) food supplies generally; provisions

to limit (a person or commodity) to a fixed ration

Sugar was strictly rationed

to use (something) sparingly

(often + out) to distribute or divide (e.g. commodities in short supply) in fixed quantities