pro rata

adverb

pro ra·​ta (ˌ)prō-ˈrā-tə  -ˈrä-  -ˈra- 

: proportionately according to an exactly calculable factor (such as share or liability)

pro rata adjective

Did you know?

The Latin phrase prō ratā, meaning "in proportion," is a shortening of prō ratā parte/portiōne, meaning "according to the fixed proportion." English users borrowed the shorter phrase in the 16th century, dropping the diacritics along the way, and began applying the term in contexts formal enough that Latin doesn't seem too out of place: in finance and law. There pro rata refers to distributing or allocating a quantity proportionately—for example, dividing up an annual interest rate pro rata into monthly rates; distributing pro rata a profit amongst shareholders; paying part-time employees pro rata (according to full-time pay); or allocating liability for a defective product pro rata. In the early 19th century, pro rata demonstrated its usefulness as an adjective, as in "a pro rata share" or "pro rata distribution." The verb prorate (based on pro rata) followed soon thereafter. Incidentally, the familiar noun and verb rate (as in "tax rates" and "rating on a scale of 1 to 5") also trace back to Latin prō ratā parte, but they entered the language back in the 15th century by way of Anglo-French.

Examples of pro rata in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, the spokesman pointed to federal data showing New York sitting at 39 in terms of pro rata nursing home deaths. —Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Dec. 2024

The statement is partly true in a monetary value sense—investors can buy shares (and property) for pennies and reap pro rata returns when dividends are paid out. —Tamara Kostova, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

Well Development Inc, with a pro rata stock distribution to current shareholders. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 20 Nov. 2024

Such a transaction is called pro rata, which allows an investor such as PIF to participate in future rounds of financing and retain its ownership stake. —Michael Wayland, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

pro rata

adverb

pro ra·​ta (ˈ)prō-ˈrāt-ə  -ˈrät-ə 

: in proportion to the share of each : proportionately

pro rata adjective

Legal Definition

pro rata

adverb

pro ra·​ta ˌprō-ˈrā-tə, -ˈrä-, -ˈra- 

: proportionately according to an exactly calculable factor (as share or liability)

pro rata adjective

Etymology

Latin