apportion
verb
ap·por·tion
ə-ˈpȯr-shən 
apportioned; apportioning
ə-ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)niŋ
: to divide and share out according to a plan
especially
: to make a proportionate division or distribution of
Representatives are apportioned among the states.
Examples of apportion in a Sentence
The proceeds from the auction will be apportioned among the descendants.
Apportion the expenses between the parties involved.
The agency apportions water from the lake to residents.
Recent Examples on the Web
Emery apportioned the blame for Brighton’s goal on defenders being too deep and consequently not catching attackers offside.
—
Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Kansas law allows the state to apportion sports betting revenue as an incentive for teams to relocate.
—Matt Rybaltowski, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Expressing concern with the bloodshed, then U.S. Senator Joe Biden recommended splitting the country along three neat lines, apportioning one chunk for Shiites, one for Sunni Arabs, and one for Kurds.
—Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2023
The two groups of states have presented starkly different proposals, disagreeing on how triggers for mandatory cutbacks should be determined, and how the reductions should be apportioned.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apportion 
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Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Kansas law allows the state to apportion sports betting revenue as an incentive for teams to relocate.
—Matt Rybaltowski, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Expressing concern with the bloodshed, then U.S. Senator Joe Biden recommended splitting the country along three neat lines, apportioning one chunk for Shiites, one for Sunni Arabs, and one for Kurds.
—Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2023
The two groups of states have presented starkly different proposals, disagreeing on how triggers for mandatory cutbacks should be determined, and how the reductions should be apportioned.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apportion
Dictionary Entries Near apportion
Cite this Entry
“Apportion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apportion. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apportion
verb
ap·por·tion
ə-ˈpōr-shən
-ˈpȯr-
apportioned; apportioning
-sh(ə-)niŋ
: to divide and distribute in proportion
apportionment
noun
-shən-mənt
Legal Definition
apportion
transitive verb
ap·por·tion
ə-ˈpȯr-shən
: to make a usually proportionate division or distribution of (an amount due) according to a plan: as
a
: to divide (an amount due in tax or other liability) among the parties responsible for respective shares of the payment compare contribution
b
: to assign (a portion of the consideration agreed to in a contract) as payment for the other party's partial performance
c
: to distribute (corporate dividends) based on some proportion
d
: to assign (legislative representatives and taxes) among the states as provided by law
apportionable
adjective
apportionment
noun
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