portion
Piece of something
A portion is a part of something larger: a portion of the proceeds, a generous portion of mashed potatoes.
It often implies division or allocation—the share that belongs to someone or gets served to them.
To portion something is to divide it into shares: She portioned out the inheritance among her children.
Portion can also mean one's lot or fate, though this use sounds old-fashioned.
Single portion given
- platefulServing-sized quantity
- servingMeasured food portion
- secondsTime units, or extras
- rationFixed allotted amount
meal · course · entree · dish · appetizer · buffet · feast · banquet
Total quantity present
- heapJumbled collection of items
- batchQuantity produced together
- scoopFirst-reported story
- pileAccumulated mass of objects
helping · plateful · cup · bowl · spoonful · handful · dollop · morsel
Distribution of shares
- allotmentDesignated share or portion
- quotaFixed assigned amount
- rationFixed allotted amount
- allowanceFixed periodic payment
entitlement · distribution · divvy · cut · percentage · fraction · stake · division
Distinct divided part
- segmentDistinct part of whole
- pieceA portion or segment
- fractionPart divided by whole
- componentElement of a system
element · division · subsection · chunk · bit · slice · fragment · unit
Gift left by will
- legacyWhat's passed down
- estateProperty and grounds
- birthrightEntitlement from origin
- patrimonyInherited estate or legacy
entitlement · share · allotment · heritage · endowment · dowry · trust · heirloom
Predetermined course of events
- lotLarge amount or portion
- karmaSpiritual cause and effect
- kismetPreordained future outcome
- providenceDivine protective care
fortune · doom · predestination · stars · destiny · luck · chance · serendipity
helping
Single portion given
ration · meal · course · entree · dish · appetizer · buffet · feast · banquet · cuisine
amount
Total quantity present
pile · helping · plateful · cup · bowl · spoonful · handful · dollop · morsel · bit
allocation
Distribution of shares
allowance · entitlement · distribution · divvy · cut · percentage · fraction · stake · division · split
section
Distinct divided part
component · element · division · subsection · chunk · bit · slice · fragment · unit · partition
bequest
Gift left by will
- legacyWhat's passed down
- estateProperty and grounds
- birthrightEntitlement from origin
patrimony · entitlement · share · allotment · heritage · endowment · dowry · trust · heirloom · beneficiary
fate
Predetermined course of events
providence · fortune · doom · predestination · stars · destiny · luck · chance · serendipity · omen
- portion sizeAmount of food served
- generous portionSizable amount given
- portion controlLimiting serving sizes
- portion outDivide and distribute
- heaping portion
- individual portion
proportion, proportions, portions, apportion, proportional, apportioned, portioning, portioned, disproportionate