Portioning: meaning, definitions and examples

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portioning

[ˈpɔːrʃənɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

food

The act of dividing a whole into parts, especially when referring to food servings.

Synonyms

allocation, distribution, division.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
portioning	Typically used when talking about dividing food or resources into portions for individual use or consumption. The chef is portioning the soup into bowls They are portioning the ingredients for the recipe
allocation	Often used in formal or technical contexts to refer to the assignment of resources or duties, usually in a structured or planned way. The allocation of funds for the project was completed last week The manager is responsible for the allocation of tasks among the team
division	Usually refers to the process of dividing something into parts, and can be used in both physical and abstract contexts. The division of labor among workers increased efficiency The division of the land among the heirs was a complicated process
distribution	Commonly used when talking about spreading goods, resources, or information over a large area or among many people. The company specializes in the distribution of electronics The distribution of aid to the victims was handled by the Red Cross

Examples of usage

A proper portioning of the meal is essential for a balanced diet.
She carefully measured the portioning of the ingredients for the recipe.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

construction

The process of dividing or allocating a specific area or space for a particular purpose.

Synonyms

allocation, distribution, division.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
portioning	Typically used when talking about dividing food or other items into smaller parts, especially in a methodical or precise manner. The cook is portioning the soup into bowls for the guests. During the camping trip, we were portioning the supplies to ensure everyone had enough.
allocation	Often used in formal or planning contexts, especially when dealing with resources, budget, time, or tasks. It suggests deliberate and thoughtful distribution based on need or priority. The manager is responsible for the allocation of tasks among team members. Government allocation of funds to education has increased this year.
division	Used when referring to separating something into parts, often implying equality or fair division. It can have a mathematical context or refer to separating groups of people or things. The division of the inheritance among the siblings was done fairly. In mathematics, division is one of the basic operations.
distribution	General term used when referring to spreading or dispersing things over a wide area or to many recipients. Commonly used in supply chain, logistics, or spreading information. The distribution of medical supplies to remote areas is crucial during a pandemic. The company handles the distribution of their products through various channels.

Examples of usage

The portioning of the land for the new building project was carefully planned.
Proper portioning of resources is crucial for the success of the construction project.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

food

To divide or distribute food into specific portions or servings.

Synonyms

allocate, distribute, divide.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
portioning	Use this term when referring to dividing something into specific, often equal, portions. It is commonly used in culinary settings. The chef is portioning the cake into eight equal pieces For meal prep, I spent Sunday portioning out my meals for the week
divide	This word is suitable when separating something into parts or groups. It can be used in both informal and formal settings and does not necessarily imply equal parts. Let's divide the tasks so we can finish faster The river divides the city into two distinct areas
distribute	Use 'distribute' when you want to refer to handing out or spreading something to a group of people or over a large area. It's more general and can apply to various contexts. The organization will distribute food and water to the disaster victims After printing the materials, we will distribute them to all the participants
allocate	This word is best used in formal or professional settings when referring to the organized distribution of resources, tasks, or responsibilities. The manager will allocate the budget to different departments We need to allocate tasks to each team member to ensure efficiency

Examples of usage

She portioned out the stew into individual bowls for the guests.
The chef portioned the dessert evenly among the diners.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'portion' comes from the Latin word 'portio', which means 'a part or share'.
It has been used in English since the 14th century to refer to a share of something, especially food.

Culinary Arts

Portioning is crucial in cooking and baking, ensuring that recipes maintain balance between flavors and textures.
Professional chefs often use scales and measuring tools to ensure proper portioning, which helps control nutrition and costs.

Health and Nutrition

Proper portioning helps in managing diet and weight, as serving sizes can greatly impact calorie intake.
Nutritionists recommend visual aids, like using your palm or a fist to measure portions for balanced meals.

Psychology

The way food is portioned can influence how much people consume; larger plates often lead to larger portion sizes.
Studies show that people can feel satisfied with smaller portions if they are aware and mindful while eating.

Cultural Practices

In many cultures, food portioning is a sign of hospitality—how food is shared can vary from region to region.
Some cultures emphasize family-style dining, where portioning is communal and encourages togetherness.

Translations

Translations of the word "portioning" in other languages:

🇵🇹 divisão

🇮🇳 विभाजन

🇩🇪 Portionierung

🇮🇩 pembagian

🇺🇦 розподіл

🇵🇱 porcjowanie

🇯🇵 分配 (ぶんぱい)

🇫🇷 répartition

🇪🇸 repartición

🇹🇷 bölme

🇰🇷 분배 (bunbae)

🇸🇦 تقسيم

🇨🇿 dělení

🇸🇰 delenie

🇨🇳 分配 (fēnpèi)

🇸🇮 delitev

🇮🇸 skipting

🇰🇿 бөлу

🇬🇪 განაწილება

🇦🇿 bölüşdürmə

🇲🇽 repartición

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,496, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

...
39493 witting
39494 inexactitude
39495 muskoxen
39496 portioning
39497 perambulated
39498 vivaciously
39499 parboiling
...