Definition Definition

proportion - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'proportion' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Proportion [ n.]
- The relation or adaptation of one portion to another, or to the whole, as respect magnitude, quantity, or degree; comparative relation; ratio; as, the proportion of the parts of a building, or of the body.
- Harmonic relation between parts, or between different things of the same kind; symmetrical arrangement or adjustment; symmetry; as, to be out of proportion.
- The portion one receives when a whole is distributed by a rule or principle; equal or proper share; lot.
- A part considered comparatively; a share.
- The equality or similarity of ratios, especially of geometrical ratios; or a relation among quantities such that the quotient of the first divided by the second is equal to that of the third divided by the fourth; -- called also geometrical proportion, in distinction from arithmetical proportion, or that in which the difference of the first and second is equal to the difference of the third and fourth.
- The rule of three, in arithmetic, in which the three given terms, together with the one sought, are proportional.
2 . Proportion [ v.]
- To adjust in a suitable proportion, as one thing or one part to another; as, to proportion the size of a building to its height; to proportion our expenditures to our income.
- To form with symmetry or suitableness, as the parts of the body.
- To divide into equal or just shares; to apportion.

Meaning of 'proportion' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . proportion [ n]
Meaning (1):
- magnitude or extent
Example in sentence:
  • a building of vast proportions
Meaning (2):
- the relation between things (or parts of things) with respect to their comparative quantity, magnitude, or degree
Example in sentence:
  • a dry martini has a large proportion of gin;
  • an inordinate proportion of the book is given over to quotations
Meaning (3):
- harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design)
Example in sentence:
  • in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance
4 . proportion [ v]
Meaning (4):
- give pleasant proportions to
Example in sentence:
  • harmonize a building with those surrounding it

Nearby Words:

pro pro rata pro thyalosoma pro- proa proach proant proatlas probabiliorism probabiliorist

See 'proportion' also in:

Dictionary.com Google Translator Wikipedia.com Merriam Webster

Related Definitions

  • Proportional Relationship
    Proportional Relationship means equivalency between two variables that relate to each other and maintain a set proportion.
  • Proportion of Similar Attitudes
    Proportion of Similar Attitudes is the number of topics on which two individuals hold the same views in relation to the total number of topics

Categories

Browse Dictionary