apportionment

[uh-pawr-shuhn-muhnt, uh-pohr-]

noun

1. the act of apportioning.

2. the determination of the number of members of the U.S. House of Representatives according to the proportion of the population of each state to the total population of the U.S.

3. the apportioning of members of any other legislative body.

apportionment

1. The allocation of seats in a legislature or of taxes according to a plan. In the United States Congress, for example, the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives is based on the relative population of each state, whereas the apportionment in the Senate is based on equal representation for every state. (See also gerrymander.)

Other Word Forms

• nonapportionment noun
• proapportionment adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apportionment¹

First recorded in 1620–30; apportion + -ment

Example Sentences

The move is part of a larger Republican plot to rewrite the rules concerning House apportionment and district drawing that’s aimed at isolating the GOP’s governing majority from the will of the voters.

From Salon

“The Constitution very clearly says that apportionment is determined by the number of people, not citizens,” he said.

From Salon

Federal law holds that a mid-decade Census can be conducted, but not used for apportionment.

From Salon

She added she worked "really hard" in her job and, in between sending emails or finishing reports, she was taking care of apportionments, attending meetings and filling out forms.

From BBC

The Inflation Reduction Act provided an $80 billion apportionment for the IRS aimed at reducing the national debt and providing more resources for the agency to audit ultrawealthy taxpayers.

From Salon