Phrase guide

parcel out

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To divide into portions or chunks; to ration.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • It's a large job, but if we parcel it out among several people over several weeks, it shouldn't be too difficult.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To assign.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

administer or bestow, as in small portions

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • administer critical remarks to everyone present
  • dole out some money
  • shell out pocket money for the children
  • deal a blow to someone
  • the machine dispenses soft drinks

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: distribute, administer, mete out, deal, lot, dispense, shell out, deal out, dish out, allot, dole out

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: give

Narrower terms: assign, allot, portion, reallot, deal, give, apply

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: aufteilen — to divide into portions
  • German: zerstückeln — to divide into portions
  • Ukrainian: ділити на частини (dilyty na častyny) — to divide into portions
  • Ukrainian: подрібнювати (podribnjuvaty) — to divide into portions
  • Ukrainian: дробити (drobyty) — to divide into portions
  • Ukrainian: розбивати (rozbyvaty) — to divide into portions
  • Ukrainian: парцелювати (parceljuvaty) — to divide into portions