Apportionment (noun)

The act of dividing or allotting a resource, responsibility, or liability among a group of people or entities.

Origin:

The word 'apportionment' comes from the old french word 'apportionner', which means 'to divide into equal portions'. this word has been used in various forms in english since the late 16th century to describe the process of dividing resources or responsibilities among a group of people.

Examples:

1. The apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives is determined by the results of the census taken every ten years.
2. In many states, the apportionment of electoral votes is based on the number of congressional districts within the state.
3. The apportionment of blame for the company's failure was a contentious issue, with each department blaming the others for their own shortcomings.
4. The apportionment of water rights among the neighboring farmers was a complex and contentious issue, requiring the intervention of a mediator.
5. The apportionment of resources among the different departments within a company can have a significant impact on the overall success of the organization.