Proportion is defined as a numerical relationship that compares things or people.
An example of proportion is the number of girls in a class compared to the number of boys.
proportion
- the comparative relation between parts, things, or elements with respect to size, amount, degree, etc.; ratio
- a part, share, or portion, esp. in its relation to the whole; quota
- relationship between parts or things; esp., harmonious, proper, or desirable relationship; balance or symmetry
- size, degree, or extent relative to a standard
- dimensions: a building of large proportions
- Math.
- an equality between ratios; relationship between four quantities in which the quotient of the first divided by the second is equal to that of the third divided by the fourth (Ex.: 6 is to 2 as 9 is to 3)also called geometrical proportion
- rule of three
- an equality between ratios; relationship between four quantities in which the quotient of the first divided by the second is equal to that of the third divided by the fourth (Ex.: 6 is to 2 as 9 is to 3)
Origin of proportion
Middle English proporcioun ; from Middle French proporcion ; from Classical Latin proportio ; from pro, for + portio, part: see portion- to cause to be in proper relation, harmony, or balance: to proportion the punishment to the crime
- to arrange the parts of (a whole) so as to be harmonious or properly balanced
proportion
noun
- A part or amount considered in relation to a whole: What is the proportion of helium in the atmosphere?
- A relationship between things or parts of things with respect to comparative magnitude, quantity, or degree: the proper proportion between oil and vinegar in the dressing.
- A relationship between quantities such that if one varies then another varies in a manner dependent on the first: “We do not always find visible happiness in proportion to visible virtue” (Samuel Johnson).
- The agreeable or harmonious relation of parts within a whole: The statue seems out of proportion.
- often proportions Dimensions; size: First measure the proportions of the room.
- Mathematics A statement of equality between two ratios. Four quantities, a, b, c, d, are said to be in proportion if a/b = c/d .
transitive verb
pro·por·tioned, pro·por·tion·ing, pro·por·tions- To adjust so that proper relations between parts are attained: Have you proportioned the oil in the dressing properly?
- To form the parts of with balance or symmetry: The artist proportioned the figure nicely.
Origin of proportion
Middle English proporcion, from Old French proportion, from Latin pr&omacron;porti&omacron;, pr&omacron;porti&omacron;n-, from pr&omacron; porti&omacron;ne, according to (each) part : pr&omacron;, according to; see pro–1 + porti&omacron;ne, ablative of porti&omacron;, part; see per&schwa;-2 in Indo-European roots.Related Forms:
- pro·por′tion·a·ble
adjective
- pro·por′tion·a·bly
adverb
- pro·por′tion·er
noun
- pro·por′tion·ment
noun
proportion
Noun
(countable and uncountable, plural proportions)
- (countable) A quantity of something that is part of the whole amount or number.
- (uncountable) Harmonious relation of parts to each other or to the whole.
- (countable) Proper or equal share.
- The relation of one part to another or to the whole with respect to magnitude, quantity, or degree.
- the proportion of the parts of a building, or of the body
- (mathematics, countable) A statement of equality between two ratios.
- (countable, chiefly in the plural) Size.
Verb
(third-person singular simple present proportions, present participle proportioning, simple past and past participle proportioned)
- (art) To set or render in proportion.
Origin
From Middle English proporcion, from Old French proportion, from Latin proportio (“comparative relation, proportion, symmetry, analogy”), from pro (“for, before”) + portio (“share, part”); see portion.
