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portion

POR-shun /ˈpɔː.ʃən/

nounverbB1GRESATIELTSTOEFL

general

The amount or quantity of food served for one person at a meal.

Refers to standardized measurement in dining, balancing value for the customer with cost efficiency for the kitchen.

The story behind the word. Passed into English via Anglo-Norman from Latin 'portio' (share, allotment), closely linked to 'pars' (part). Quick-service operations elevated portion control into a precise business science to maintain consistent food costs across global franchises.

Word relationships

serving: 'Serving' is often used in nutritional contexts, while 'portion' refers generally to the amount placed on a plate or in a container.
helping: 'Helping' is an informal term, often used at home during family meals.

whole: 'Whole' refers to the entire intact food item rather than a divided share.

Commonly confused with

proportion: Proportion refers to a relative ratio or relationship between parts, while portion refers to a specific physical quantity of food.

Word family

portioning (noun): The process of dividing food into uniform individual servings.

Collocations

portion control
generous portion
portion size
single portion

Example sentences

"The fast-food chain is famous for serving a generous portion of french fries with every burger." Evaluating food quantities at a restaurant.
"Kitchen workers use precise scoops to ensure each portion of meat meets exact weight specifications." Describing kitchen assembly consistency.

Memory hook

PORTION is your PART or share of food. The measured serving size on your plate.

When not to use

Do not confuse with the whole recipe or entire batch before division.

Fun facts

Portion sizes in American fast food increased by over 300 percent between 1970 and 2010.
Automated fry dispensers weigh potato cuts to ensure exact portion consistency down to the gram.