WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026pro•por•tion /prəˈpɔrʃən/USA pronunciation
n.
- a relation between things when compared to one another in regard to size, quantity, number, etc.:[countable]A large proportion of the students came from Chinese-speaking countries.
- proper relation between things or parts:[uncountable]to have a sense of proportion.
- symmetry:[uncountable]The architect shows a fine sense of proportion in his designs.
- proportions, [plural] dimensions or size:a man of gigantic proportions.
See
-par-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026pro•por•tion
(prə pôr′shən, -pōr′-),USA pronunciation n.
- comparative relation between things or magnitudes as to size, quantity, number, etc.;
ratio.
- proper relation between things or parts:to have tastes way out of proportion to one's financial means.
- relative size or extent.
- proportions, dimensions or size:a rock of gigantic proportions.
- a portion or part in its relation to the whole:A large proportion of the debt remains.
- symmetry, harmony, or balance:an architect with a sense of proportion.
- the significance of a thing or event that an objective view reveals:You must try to see these mishaps in proportion.
- Mathematicsa relation of four quantities such that the first divided by the second is equal to the third divided by the fourth;
the equality of ratios. Cf. rule of three.
- [Archaic.]analogy;
comparison.
v.t.
- to adjust in proper proportion or relation, as to size, quantity, etc.
- to balance or harmonize the proportions of.
- Latin prōportiōn- (stem of prōportiō) symmetry, analogy. See pro-1, portion
- Middle English proporcio(u)n 1350–1400
1. comparison. 5. share. 6. distribution, arrangement. See symmetry. 10. regulate, arrange, balance, harmonize.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
proportion /prəˈpɔːʃən/ n - the correct or desirable relationship between parts of a whole; balance or symmetry
- a part considered with respect to the whole
- (plural) dimensions or size: a building of vast proportions
- a share, part, or quota
- a relationship that maintains a constant ratio between two variable quantities: x increases in direct proportion to y
- a relationship between four numbers or quantities in which the ratio of the first pair equals the ratio of the second pair
vb (transitive)- to adjust in relative amount, size, etc
- to cause to be harmonious in relationship of parts
Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin prōportiō (a translation of Greek analogia), from phrase prō portione, literally: for (its, his, one's) portionproˈportionable adj proˈportionably adv proˈportionment n
'proportion' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
