The proportional limitation of production or distribution of something (e.g. crude oil or natural gas) to some fractional part of the total capacity of each producer

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. the proportional limitation of production or distribution of something (e.g. crude oil or natural gas) to some fractional part of the total capacity of each producer

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1893, noun of action from prorate (v.).

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 (context telecommunication English) budgeting the proportional distribution or allocation of parameters, such as noise power and transmission losses, among a number of tandem-connected items, such as equipment, cables, links, or trunks, in order to ...