Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Proportion has 9 different meanings across 2 categories:
the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole
"The proportion of students who passed the exam was calculated by dividing the number of passing grades by the total class size."
balance among the parts of something
"The architect adjusted the window sizes to achieve a perfect proportion between height and width in the facade."
the relation between things (or parts of things) with respect to their comparative quantity, magnitude, or degree
"an inordinate proportion of the book is given over to quotations"
"a dry martini has a large proportion of gin"
harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design)
"in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance"
A quantity of something that is part of the whole amount or number.
"The proportion of students who passed the exam was higher than last year."
In plain English: Proportion is how much of something there is compared to the total amount.
"The proportion of red paint to white makes the wall look warm and inviting."
Usage: Use proportion as a noun when referring to a specific part of a whole, such as "a large proportion of voters." It often pairs with verbs like make up or constitute rather than being used directly where the verb form would be more natural.
adjust in size relative to other things
"The artist adjusted the proportion of the figure's limbs so they matched the rest of the body realistically."
To divide into proper shares; to apportion.
"The manager had to proportion the holiday bonus among the employees based on their individual contributions."
In plain English: To proportion something means to make its parts fit together correctly so nothing looks too big or too small compared to the rest.
"The chef will proportion the ingredients before mixing them into the batter."
The word "proportion" comes from the Latin prōportiō, meaning a comparative relation or symmetry. It is formed by combining pro ("for") and portio ("share" or "part").