Rationing/ˈræʃənɪŋ/ Definition 1 of 1Pro Tip 1/3War Time Often used when describing measures during war or crisis to control resources. During the war, rationing of bread and meat was common. Pro Tip 2/3Government Policy Usually administered by governments as a form of economic control. The new rationing policy affected how gasoline was distributed. Pro Tip 3/3Scarcity Context Implies a shortage of supplies leading to the need to ration. Post-hurricane, there was rationing of essential supplies like water.