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
Zoom out: Nebraska and Maine are the only states that don't apportion Electoral College votes on a winner-take-all basis.
—
April Rubin, Axios, 23 Sep. 2024
Nebraska, along with Maine, are the exception, apportioning their electoral votes based partially upon congressional districts.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2024
In the past, seats were apportioned primarily based on aggregate votes, a system that favored the strongest alliance.
—Soner Cagaptay, Foreign Affairs, 4 May 2023
While Minnesota is not considered a swing state, Walz’s home state, Nebraska, apportions its electoral college votes by district, which could score the duo some extra clout.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apportion 
April Rubin, Axios, 23 Sep. 2024
Nebraska, along with Maine, are the exception, apportioning their electoral votes based partially upon congressional districts.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2024
In the past, seats were apportioned primarily based on aggregate votes, a system that favored the strongest alliance.
—Soner Cagaptay, Foreign Affairs, 4 May 2023
While Minnesota is not considered a swing state, Walz’s home state, Nebraska, apportions its electoral college votes by district, which could score the duo some extra clout.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apportion
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apportion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near apportion
Cite this Entry
“Apportion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apportion. Accessed 6 Oct. 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