A portion is a part of something that has been divided, such as a serving of food or someone’s share of money or work. It often suggests a controlled or measured amount.
From Old French *porcion*, from Latin *portio* “share, part,” related to *pars* “part.” It has long been used for both physical pieces and abstract shares like inheritances.
When nutrition labels talk about “portion size,” they’re quietly influencing how much you think is normal to eat. The word doesn’t just describe reality; it helps set expectations about what’s a “fair share.”
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