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
Almost all states use a winner-take-all system to apportion their presidential electors, but Nebraska and Maine award some electors by congressional district.
—
Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 1 Oct. 2024
Montana Congressional District 1 This Montana congressional district was actually eliminated in 1993 before being resuscitated in January 2023, being apportioned after the 2020 Census.
—Andrew Depietro, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Without absolving the Israeli government of the immense human and material costs of the war or the occupation, some Palestinian analysts have apportioned plenty of blame to Hamas for its violence and absolutist ideology.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024
Nebraska is heavily Republican overall but is one of two states — the other is Maine — that apportions its Electoral College votes by congressional district.
—L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apportion 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 1 Oct. 2024
Montana Congressional District 1 This Montana congressional district was actually eliminated in 1993 before being resuscitated in January 2023, being apportioned after the 2020 Census.
—Andrew Depietro, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Without absolving the Israeli government of the immense human and material costs of the war or the occupation, some Palestinian analysts have apportioned plenty of blame to Hamas for its violence and absolutist ideology.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024
Nebraska is heavily Republican overall but is one of two states — the other is Maine — that apportions its Electoral College votes by congressional district.
—L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune, 17 Oct. 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 22 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share