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# portion

noun (a portion, portions); verb (portion out, portions, portioned, portioning)

«portion» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A portion is a part or share of something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/#m1)
2. A portion is the amount of food served to one person. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/#m2)
3. To portion something out is to divide it into shares and give them out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/#m3)

### In the lessons

In maths a portion is a part of a whole, linked to fractions: «a portion of the cake». In health lessons we hear «five portions of fruit and vegetables a day». Phrases: «a large portion», «portion size», «a portion of chips», «portion out».

### Examples

- Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/#x1)
- The restaurant gives huge portions. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/#x2)
- A large portion of the money went to the charity. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/#x3)
- Mum portioned out the pizza so everyone got two slices. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/#x4)
- Only a small portion of the Earth's water is fresh. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/#x5)
- Can I have a child's portion, please? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/#x6)
- Divide the cake into eight equal portions. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/#x7)
- The youngest of the three sons, on the contrary, made good use of his portion. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/#x8)

### Note

Countable: portion, portions. Close to «part» and «share». In a maths problem «a portion» often hints at a fraction or division: 24 sweets in 4 equal portions = 6 each.

## In Jewish tradition

God's people are called His portion. The portion can also be a share of the sacrifices given to priests, or of the dough given as a gift.

**Interpretation.** The weekly Torah reading is also called a portion (parashah). Taking challah, a portion of dough, is a command still kept today.

### Examples

- For the portion of the LORD is His people, Jacob the lot of His inheritance. (Torah DEU.32.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/portion/#x1)
- They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which is his due according to the fathers' houses. (Torah DEU.18.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/portion/#x2)
- Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD a portion for a gift throughout your generations. (Torah NUM.15.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/portion/#x3)
- My portion is the LORD, I have said that I would observe Thy words. (Writings PSA.119.57, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/portion/#x4)
- 'The LORD is my portion', saith my soul; 'Therefore will I hope in Him.' (Writings LAM.3.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/portion/#x5)
- O LORD, the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup, Thou maintainest my lot. (Writings PSA.16.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/portion/#x6)

### Note

Countable: portion, portions. Close to «part» and «share». In a maths problem «a portion» often hints at a fraction or division: 24 sweets in 4 equal portions = 6 each.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «portion» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portion/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«portion» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/portion.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «portion» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/portion/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«portion» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/portion.html) on Mova free.