Portion Meaning
Portion Definition & Usage
A part, share, or amount of something, often in relation to a larger whole.
Examples
- "She took a large portion of the cake before anyone else could have a slice."
- "Each guest received a small portion of the appetizer."
- "The portion sizes at this restaurant are enormous; I could barely finish mine."
- "He gave me a portion of his dessert to try, which was incredibly sweet."
- "The portion of the budget allocated to education has increased this year."
A specific amount or share of something abstract, like a responsibility or experience.
Examples
- "Each team member was given a portion of the work to complete by the deadline."
- "He felt it was his portion of the blame for the mistake."
- "The charity distributed a portion of the donations to local shelters."
- "The politician spoke about the portion of the population that remains underserved."
- "We all play our part in life, but some believe they have a larger portion of luck than others."
A share or fraction of something, particularly in legal, financial, or inheritance contexts.
Examples
- "She inherited a portion of her grandmother's estate, including a few valuable antiques."
- "The company is distributing portions of its profits to shareholders next month."
- "His portion of the inheritance was considerably smaller than expected."
- "After the divorce, they divided their assets into portions according to the court's ruling."
- "The will specified the portion of the family home that would go to each heir."
Cultural Context
The word 'portion' derives from the Latin word 'portio', meaning 'a part' or 'share'. Its usage has evolved over centuries to cover not only tangible items like food but also more abstract notions such as responsibility and luck. It is commonly used in food, business, legal, and cultural contexts.
The Fair Share
Story
The Fair Share
In the small town of Greenfield, the local bakery had long been the heart of the community. Every morning, the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries filled the air, drawing customers from near and far. But as the town's population grew, so did the demand for the bakery's famous cinnamon rolls. The bakery's owner, Mrs. Harper, decided it was time to set a limit on the number of rolls each customer could buy in order to ensure that everyone had a portion.