What does reapportion mean?
Reapportion means to assign or divide something anew, usually after the previous allocation has become unequal, outdated, or otherwise unsuitable. The word is especially common in discussions of legislative districts, elected seats, and representation: a government or commission may reapportion constituencies after population changes, altering which voters are represented by particular officials. It can also refer more broadly to redistributing money, resources, duties, or opportunities. The prefix re- indicates that a second or revised division is taking place. Although reapportion is widely understood in British and American English, it is particularly associated with political and governmental language in the United States. In general writing, the more familiar alternatives are reallocate, redistribute, or reassign, depending on whether the focus is on division, transfer, or a change of responsibility.
verbTo assign or distribute something again in a different way. It most often refers to changing the allocation of seats, resources, or responsibilities among people or groups.
- To assign or distribute something again, especially seats, representation, resources, or responsibilities.
- To change the proportions in which something is divided or allocated.
"The committee agreed to reapportion the funding among the regional branches."
"The commission reapportioned the delegates among the regional branches."
"Following the census, the legislature reapportioned the state’s congressional seats."
Reapportionment can redraw the balance of power: the word is closely associated with redistributing seats in legislative chambers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reapportion come from?
Reapportion was formed in the 19th century from the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and apportion, a word dating to the early 16th century. Apportion comes through Anglo-French from Latin apportionare or ad- plus portio, a term associated with “share” or “part.” The same Latin root underlies proportion, proportionate, and other words concerning division into parts or shares.
Related word forms
How reapportion is actually used
The word is formal and occurs especially in political, administrative, and financial contexts. In US usage, it is particularly associated with redistricting and the allocation of legislative representation.
Easily confused with reapportion
Reapportion means to assign something again after an existing allocation, whereas apportion generally means to divide and assign something for the first time or as part of a continuing process.