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portion definition

por·tion (pôr′s̸hən)

noun

  1. a part or limited quantity of anything, esp. that allotted to a person; share
  2. the part of an estate received by an heir
  3. the part of a man's money or property contributed by his bride; dowry
  4. the part of experience supposedly allotted to a person by fate; one's lot; destiny
  5. the part of a meal or quantity of food served to a person; serving; helping

Etymology: OFr < L portio (gen. portionis), portion < *partio < pars, part

transitive verb

  1. to divide into portions
  2. to give as a portion to; apportion
  3. to give a portion to; endow; dower

Etymology: OFr portionner, to divide, separate

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

portion Synonyms

portion

n.

  1. A division

    share, piece, part, serving; see division 2, helping, part 1, share. See syn. study at part.

  2. Fate

    fate, destiny, lot; see fate. See syn. study at fate.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

portion Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • fruit: As part of your five portions of fruit and vegetables a day they can help to reduce the chances of heart disease or cancer.

Converse of object

  • reproduce: You may not however reproduce any portion of these web pages ' text or graphics without prior written consent.

Adjective modifier

  • unused: Gift certificates and any unused portions expire one year from the date of purchase.

Modifies a noun

  • size: Instead, try to reduce the portion size or have them less often.

Noun used with modifier

  • veg: You can learn more about fruit and veg portion sizes on our 5 A Day website.
portion usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

portion quotes

Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

-Bible (Old Testament)

Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for whoshall bring himtoseewhat shall be after him?

-Bible (Old Testament)

Whatevereachmancanseparatelydo, withouttrespassing upon others, he has a right to dofor himself; and he has a right to a fair portion of all whichsociety, with all its combination of skill and force, can do in his favour.

-Burke, Edmund

portion quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"portion." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/portion>

APA Style

portion. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/portion

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