Portion

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɔːʃən/
• Rhymes: -ɔː(r)ʃən

Origin

From Middle English porcioun, from Old French porcion, from Latin portio ("a share, part, portion, relation, proportion"), akin to pars ("part"); see part. Compare proportion.

Full definition of portion

Noun

1. An allocated amount.
2. That which is divided off or separated, as a part from a whole; a separated part of anything.
3. One's fate; lot.
• Bible, Luke xii. 46The lord of that servant ... will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
• KebleMan's portion is to die and rise again.
4. The part of an estate given or falling to a child or heir; an inheritance.
• Bible, Luke xv. 12Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.
5. A wife's fortune; a dowry.
• 1613, William Shakespeare, , V. iv. 31:Commend me to her, and to piece her portion
  Tender her this.

Usage notes

Relatively formal, compared to the more informal part or more concrete and casual piece. For example, “part of the money” (both informal) but “portion of the proceeds” (both formal).

Synonyms

• part
• piece

Derived terms

• portionless
• proportion

Verb

1. (transitive) To divide into amounts, as for allocation to specific purposes.
2. (transitive) To endow with a portion or inheritance.Him portioned maids, apprenticed orphans, blest. — Alexander Pope.

Usage notes

Particularly used as portion out.

Relatively formal, compared to the more informal divide, divide up, or the casual divvy, divvy up.

Synonyms

• divide, divide up
• divvy, divvy up

Derived terms

• portion off
• portion out