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rationnement

rationing

noun rah-syohn-MAHN Rare
People & Society Government

Usage Note

Rationnement refers to the official restriction of access to scarce goods — food, fuel, water — typically in wartime or crisis. In French historical memory it is strongly associated with the Occupation years (1940-44), when les tickets de rationnement (ration coupons) governed daily life. The related verb is rationner and the adjective rationné.

Examples

"Le rationnement de l'essence a duré plusieurs semaines."

Natural Translation

Petrol rationing lasted several weeks.

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