rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryportionShare of a whole
noun / verb

portion

POR-shun/ˈpɔːrʃn/

A part or share of a larger amount.

A portion of the apple pie rests on a small plate.

A round apple pie with one wedge removed and placed on a small plate beside it; the wedge clearly matches the missing section, showing a portion of a whole.
Etymology
portionLatinshare, part

Latin portio meant a share or part. English first emphasized an allotted share—something assigned to someone—before broadening to any part of a whole.

In context

Inside Us1:43
The pyloric is the funnel shaped distal part of the stomach, which includes the pyloric antrum and pyloric canal. The antrum is the wider portion where food is mixed with gastric secretions
Anatomy of Human Stomach

More examples

  • She saves a portion of each paycheck for emergencies.
  • The final portion of the trail runs beside a creek.
  • We portion the soup into containers for lunch.

Forms

portion · portions · portioned · portioning

apportion verb — To divide something into assigned shares.

Similar words

part
A broader term for any piece or component of something.
share
Emphasizes an amount assigned to or belonging to someone.
serving
Specifically an amount of food intended for one person.