What is rationing?

Answer 1

Rationing is the controlled distribution of resources and scarce goods or services: it restricts how much people are allowed to buy or consume. Rationing controls the size of the ration, one's allotted portion of the resources being distributed on a particular day or at a particular time. Rationing has long been used in the military, especially the navy, to make supplies last for a defined duration, such as a voyage. To ration the supplies, they are divided up into equal portions for each person for each day, or even a meal, over the expected voyage period. The objective is to ensure that each person receives a fair share of supplies throughout the voyage. Often some reserve were also held. If supplies ran short or the voyage went longer than expected, the ration portions would be reduced. For example, half rations means the portions are cut in half, making the supplies last twice as long.
Rationing is the government's restriction on the amounts of a specific item that can be purchased by a consumer. This is usually caused by a shortage of the item or commodity. An enforcement system usually includes the use of ration coupons or ration books. A family or person would be given these coupons or books to use over a certain period of time. For example: If the government issued you 10 coffee coupons per month; and each coupon allowed you to purchase one pound of coffee. Each time you bought one pound of coffee at the store, the store would take your money and one of your coupons. If you used up all your "coffee" coupons, then a store could not sell you coffee until you were issued more coupons.