p-o-r-t-i-o-n
PORTION refers to a part or share of a whole, whether it's a serving of food, a segment of time, or a division of resources. As a verb, it means to divide something into shares or servings.
9
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
PORTION is both a noun and a verb that fundamentally deals with division and distribution. As a noun, it represents a part of a larger whole—a share, segment, or allotment. As a verb, it means to divide something into parts or shares, typically for distribution among multiple recipients.
In culinary contexts, portion control has become a crucial concept in both restaurant management and personal health. A portion represents the amount of food served to one person, distinct from a serving size, which is a standardized measurement. Understanding proper portions helps combat overeating and food waste while ensuring nutritional balance.
The word extends beyond food to encompass any divisible resource. We speak of portions of inheritance, portions of time, and portions of responsibility. In legal contexts, portions determine how estates are divided among heirs. In project management, work is portioned out among team members according to their skills and availability.
Historically, the concept of portions has deep cultural significance. Biblical references to "portions" often relate to inheritance rights, with firstborn sons receiving double portions. In many cultures, the fair distribution of portions reflects values of justice, equality, and care for community members.
In Scrabble and word games, PORTION is a solid 7-letter word that can earn the 50-point bingo bonus. Its balanced mix of common letters makes it relatively achievable, while the presence of common suffixes (-TION) and prefixes creates opportunities for extensions and hooks.
PORTION comes from the Latin "portio," meaning "a share, part, or division," derived from the root "port-" related to carrying or bearing. This connects to the Latin "portare" (to carry), suggesting the idea of something that can be carried away as one's share.
The word entered Middle English through Old French "porcion" in the 13th century. Initially, it primarily referred to one's allotted share of an inheritance or dowry—the part of an estate one would "carry away" as their rightful share.
The Latin root "portio" is related to "pars" (part) and shares Indo-European origins with words meaning "to grant" or "to allot." This etymology reflects the fundamental human practice of dividing resources fairly among group members—a concept as old as civilization itself.
Over time, the word's meaning broadened from legal and inheritance contexts to include any divided part of a whole. The verb form "to portion" emerged in the 16th century, while compounds like "portion control" and "portion size" are modern additions reflecting contemporary concerns with consumption and health.
•Restaurant portion sizes in the US have doubled or tripled over the past 50 years—a phenomenon called "portion distortion" that contributes to obesity
•The Japanese concept of "hara hachi bu" teaches eating until 80% full, naturally controlling portions and contributing to Okinawa's exceptional longevity
•In Scrabble, PORTION contains the valuable suffix -TION, which can be added to many verbs (like ABORT→ABORTION), making it a strategic pattern to remember
"The restaurant serves generous portions that easily feed two people."
"She carefully portioned out the birthday cake to ensure everyone got an equal slice."
"The inheritance was portioned equally among the three siblings."
"A large portion of the budget was allocated to research and development."
"I added PORTION to the existing TION on the board, creating PORT vertically for extra points!"
Managing serving sizes for health
Amount served at one time
The largest share
Distribute in shares
The concept of portions reflects fundamental human values about fairness, sharing, and resource management. From ancient times, societies have developed elaborate systems for portioning everything from land to food to ensure social harmony. The biblical principle of tithing—giving a tenth portion—exemplifies how portions can express religious devotion.
In modern times, portion sizes have become a public health concern. The "supersizing" of food portions correlates with rising obesity rates, leading to initiatives promoting portion awareness. Meanwhile, in fine dining, small portions reflect sophistication and allow diners to experience multiple courses without excess.
Different cultures approach portions differently. Mediterranean cultures emphasize moderate portions with variety, while some Asian cuisines feature family-style sharing where individuals portion from communal dishes. These practices shape not just eating habits but social relationships and cultural identity.
Total base points: 9 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 3 | Consonants: 4
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like PORTION