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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | Latin proportio, from portio; PORTION1 |
1 [C usually singular also + plural verb British English]HMN a part of a number or amount, considered in relation to the whole
part of something
proportion of 
The proportion of women graduates has increased in recent years.Every parent is asked to contribute a proportion of the total cost.
The proportion of women graduates has increased in recent years.Every parent is asked to contribute a proportion of the total cost. high/large/small etc proportion The decision affects a significant proportion of the population. Although the majority of offenders are men, a small proportion - about 5 percent - are women.
The decision affects a significant proportion of the population.Although the majority of offenders are men, a small proportion - about 5 percent - are women.2 the relationship between two things in size, amount, importance etc
relationship
[uncountable and countable]3 the correct or most suitable relationship between the size, shape, or position of the different parts of something : Builders must learn about scale and proportion.
correct scale
[uncountable]Builders must learn about scale and proportion. in proportion to something Her feet are small in proportion to her height.
Her feet are small in proportion to her height. out of proportion with something The porch is out of proportion with (=too big or too small when compared with) the rest of the house.
The porch is out of proportion with (=too big or too small when compared with) the rest of the house.4
proportions
[plural]a) the size or importance of something :
b) the relative sizes of the different parts of a building, object etc the elegant proportions of the living room
the elegant proportions of the living room5 too big, great, or strong in relation to something
out of (all) proportion
out of (all) proportion to/with The fear of violent crime has now risen out of all proportion to the actual risk.
The fear of violent crime has now risen out of all proportion to the actual risk. get/blow something out of proportion (=treat something as more serious than it really is) Aren't you getting things rather out of proportion? The whole issue has been blown out of all proportion.
Aren't you getting things rather out of proportion?The whole issue has been blown out of all proportion.6 to react to a situation sensibly, and not think that it is worse or more serious than it really is [↪ perspective]: Let's keep things in proportion.
keep something in proportion
Let's keep things in proportion.8 equality in the mathematical relationship between two sets of numbers, as in the statement '8 is to 6 as 32 is to 24' [↪ ratio]
