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Apportion Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ“Š
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apportion

[ษ™หˆpษ”ห.สƒษ™n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

legal term

Apportion means to divide and distribute proportionally. In legal terms, it often refers to the allocation of resources or responsibilities based on a specific formula or criteria.

Synonyms

allocate, distribute, divide.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
apportion

Used when something like resources or duties needs to be divided among people or groups in a fair or specific manner.

  • The accountant had to apportion the budget among the various departments
  • The lawyer recommended that the property be apportioned equally between the heirs
allocate

Often used in business or financial settings where resources, time, or money are assigned for a specific purpose.

  • The manager decided to allocate more funds to the marketing team
  • They had to allocate a certain amount of time for each task
distribute

Used when handing out items or resources to multiple people or locations, often implying a wide spread.

  • The teacher will distribute the test papers to the students
  • After harvesting, the farmers distribute the crops to local markets
divide

Commonly used when splitting something into parts or sections, without necessarily implying fairness or a specific method.

  • They had to divide the cake among the children
  • The project was too large, so they decided to divide it into smaller tasks

Examples of usage

  • Each shareholder will receive dividends apportioned according to their percentage of ownership.
  • The costs will be apportioned among the tenants based on the square footage of their rented space.
Context #2 | Verb

budgeting

Apportion can also be used in the context of budgeting or financial planning. It involves allocating funds or resources to different categories or departments based on their needs or priorities.

Synonyms

allot, assign, dole out.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
apportion

Used when dividing and distributing something in measured amounts, often in a formal or official capacity.

  • The committee will apportion the budget among the various departments.
  • The teacher needs to apportion the time equally between lectures and discussions.
allot

Best used when giving or assigning a specific amount of something, especially time, money, or resources.

  • Each student was allotted 10 minutes to present their project.
  • The funds were allotted for the construction of a new library.
assign

Used when designating tasks, roles, or specific duties to someone, usually in a work or educational setting.

  • The manager will assign the new project to the most experienced engineer.
  • The teacher assigned homework to be completed over the weekend.
dole out

Informal term often used when distributing something, typically in small portions, and sometimes with a connotation of scarcity or limited resources.

  • The soup kitchen doles out meals to the homeless every evening.
  • The coach doles out praise sparingly to keep the athletes motivated.

Examples of usage

  • The finance committee will apportion the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
  • It is important to apportion resources wisely to ensure the success of the project.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Law

  • In legal contexts, apportionment refers to dividing responsibilities or liabilities fairly among parties involved.
  • The doctrine of apportionment is crucial in tort law, where fault can be divided among different parties based on their degree of responsibility.
  • Apportioning damages in legal cases ensures that compensation reflects the actual contribution to harm caused by each responsible party.

Economics

  • In economics, apportionment can be used to distribute resources, costs, or revenues in a fair manner among stakeholders.
  • Government budgets often require apportioning funds across various departments to ensure balanced funding.
  • Apportionment theory helps in understanding how to distribute limited goods among competing needs.

Education

  • Teachers often apportion grades based on studentsโ€™ performances in various assessments, creating a clearer understanding of achievements.
  • In group projects, apportioning tasks can help ensure that every member contributes equally to the outcome.
  • Curricula sometimes apportion time to different subjects to cover a broad range of knowledge in an academic year.

Psychology

  • Research shows that when individuals apportion their time well, it can reduce stress and improve productivity.
  • Psychologically, people tend to feel a greater sense of fairness and satisfaction when resources are apportioned transparently.
  • Cognitive biases can affect how people perceive the fairness of apportionment, leading to feelings of inequity.

Origin of 'apportion'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'apportion' comes from the Middle English 'apportioun', which means to share or divide.
  • It is formed from the prefix 'a-' meaning 'to' or 'toward' and 'portion', signifying the act of giving parts.
  • The Latin root 'portio' meaning 'part or share' is the basis of many terms associated with division and distribution.

The word 'apportion' originated from the Latin word 'apportionare', which means 'to divide into shares'. It has been used in legal and financial contexts for centuries to refer to the fair distribution of resources or responsibilities. The concept of apportionment has played a crucial role in ensuring equitable allocation of assets and funds in various systems of governance and finance.

See also: portioning, unapportioned.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,912, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.