Portion Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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portion
[ˈpɔːrʃən ]
Definitions
food
A part or share of a whole, especially a serving of food.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| portion |
Use when talking about dividing something into measurable parts, often used in culinary or diet contexts.
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| part |
General term used to describe a piece of something larger. It can be abstract or physical and used in various contexts.
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| share |
Often used when talking about dividing something among people, or when referring to one's portion of something owned jointly.
|
| helping |
Commonly used in relation to serving food, indicating a single serving size given to someone.
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Examples of usage
- Would you like a portion of cake?
- The restaurant serves generous portions of pasta and meat.
land
A part of a larger area, usually with specific boundaries.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| portion |
Typically used when referring to a part of something, especially food or an amount that has been divided from a larger whole.
|
| section |
Used when referring to a distinct part of something larger, such as a document, area, or structure, often organized or structured in some way.
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| parcel |
Often used when talking about a package or a part of land that has been divided into smaller pieces, commonly in postal or real estate contexts.
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| plot |
Commonly used to refer to a small piece of land, especially when it's used or designated for a specific purpose, like a garden or a building lot.
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Examples of usage
- He inherited a portion of land from his grandparents.
- The disputed territory was divided into equal portions by the two countries.
divide
To divide something into parts and distribute them.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| portion |
Used when giving someone a specific part of something, often related to food or resources.
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| divide |
Used when separating something into parts, especially when those parts are meant to be equal.
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| allocate |
Used in formal or business contexts when assigning or designating resources, time, or tasks to specific people or purposes.
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| distribute |
Used when giving out or handing out items or resources from a central point to multiple people or locations.
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Examples of usage
- The teacher portioned the candies among the students.
- The chef portioned out the soup into bowls.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Nutrition
- Understanding portions can help with healthy eating by preventing overeating.
- Different cultures have various standard portion sizes; for instance, portions in Italy may be larger than those in Japan.
- Nutritionists often encourage measuring food to understand proper portion sizes better.
Culinary Arts
- In restaurants, a well-defined portion size ensures food consistency and customer satisfaction.
- Chefs create specific portions to control costs and reduce waste in the kitchen.
- Portion control is popular in meal-prepping, making it easier to manage diets and nutrition.
Cultural Perspectives
- In many cultures, meals are shared, with a focus on portions that encourage community dining.
- Family-style dining allows for larger portions to be shared among everyone, enhancing social interaction.
- Some cultures emphasize balanced portions, combining protein, vegetables, and grains for a complete meal.
Psychology
- The concept of portion sizes can influence how much people eat; larger portions often lead to larger consumption.
- Research shows that people perceive food as more appealing when served in better-looking portions.
- Mindfulness practices encourage awareness of portion sizes, helping individuals develop healthier eating habits.
Origin of 'portion'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'portio,' meaning 'a part or share.'
- In Middle English, it transformed into 'porcione,' reflecting its connection to sharing food.
- It has been used in various languages, indicating the universal idea of dividing things.
The word 'portion' originated from the Latin word 'portionem', which means 'a share, part, or division'. Over time, it evolved in Old French and Middle English to mean 'a part or share of a whole'. The concept of portioning food and land has been prevalent throughout history, as people have always divided resources and possessions among themselves.
See also: airport, comport, deport, export, passport, port, portability, portable, portal, portend, portent, porter, porters, portly, portrait, viewport.