ton

[ tuhn ]

/ tʌn /

noun

a unit of weight, equivalent to 2000 pounds (0.907 metric ton) avoirdupois (short ton) in the U.S. and 2240 pounds (1.016 metric tons) avoirdupois (long ton) in Great Britain.

Also called freight ton. a unit of volume for freight that weighs one ton, varying with the type of freight measured, as 40 cubic feet of oak timber or 20 bushels of wheat.

metric ton.

displacement ton.

a unit of volume used in transportation by sea, commonly equal to 40 cubic feet (1.13 cu. m) (shipping ton or measurement ton).

a unit of internal capacity of ships, equal to 100 cubic feet (2.83 cu. m) (register ton).

Often tons. Informal. a great quantity; a lot: a ton of jokes; tons of wedding presents.

British Informal. a speed of 100 miles per hour.

Origin of ton

1350–1400; Middle English; variant of tun

Words nearby ton

tompion, tompkins, tomsk, tomtate, tomtit, ton, ton-force, ton-mile, ton-up, tonal, tonalist

Definition for tons (2 of 2)

ton ²

[ French tawn ]

/ French tɔ̃ /

noun, plural tons [French tawn] /French tɔ̃/.

high fashion; stylishness.

the current fashion, style, or vogue.

Origin of ton

1755–65; < French < Latin tonus tone

OTHER WORDS FROM ton

ton·ish, ton·nish

[ton-ish] /ˈtɒn ɪʃ/, adjective ton·ish·ly, ton·nish·ly, adverb ton·ish·ness, ton·nish·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for tons

Those raised for their meat (200 million tons of it a year) can barely walk because their breasts have been so enlarged.

The History of the Chicken: How This Humble Bird Saved Humanity |William O’Connor |December 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Or that tons of enemy countries are stockpiling Ebola in secret labs?

The Sham, Scaremongering Guide to Ebola |Abby Haglage |November 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Following a flawless journey from Cape Canaveral in Florida, it delivered more than two tons of much-needed supplies.

Tycoons in Space: One in Orbit and One Still Grounded |Clive Irving |October 5, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Found in tons of foods, these zero-calorie sugar substitutes have taken the U.S. market by storm.

Are Artificial Sweeteners Wrecking Your Diet? |DailyBurn |September 30, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

The joint operation by the British and American air forces flew in more than 4,000 tons of supplies every day.

Blood and War: The Hard Truth About ‘Boots on the Ground’ |Clive Irving |September 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The total output of manganese in the United States in 1901 was less than 12,000 tons.

The History of Cuba, vol. 5 |Willis Fletcher Johnson
Of the dead game and poultry, the seven railways bring to London about 7,871 tons weight in the course of the year.

Curiosities of Civilization |Andrew Wynter
Thus, every column would contain one hundred and ten tons of marble, besides base and capital!

Ruins of Ancient Cities (Vol. I of II) |Charles Bucke
The hulk President was a plain solid barque of one thousand tons register, broad in the beam.

Nevermore |Rolf Boldrewood
Captain Wilson—to whom I beg my compliments—-will show you a ship of 300 tons.

The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 16 (of 25) |Robert Louis Stevenson

British Dictionary definitions for tons (1 of 4)

tons

/ (tʌnz) informal /

pl n

a large amount or number: tons of money; I have tons of shoes

adverb

(intensifier) I looked and felt tons better

British Dictionary definitions for tons (2 of 4)

ton ¹

/ (tʌn) /

noun

Also called: long ton British a unit of weight equal to 2240 pounds or 1016.046909 kilograms

Also called: short ton, net ton US a unit of weight equal to 2000 pounds or 907.184 kilograms

Also called: metric ton, tonne a unit of weight equal to 1000 kilograms

Also called: freight ton a unit of volume or weight used for charging or measuring freight in shipping. It depends on the type of material being shipped but is often taken as 40 cubic feet, 1 cubic metre, or 1000 kilograms freight is charged at £40 per ton of 1 cubic metre

Also called: measurement ton, shipping ton a unit of volume used in shipping freight, equal to 40 cubic feet, irrespective of the commodity shipped

Also called: displacement ton a unit used for measuring the displacement of a ship, equal to 35 cubic feet of sea water or 2240 pounds

Also called: register ton a unit of internal capacity of ships equal to 100 cubic feet

Word Origin for ton

C14: variant of tun

British Dictionary definitions for tons (3 of 4)

ton ²

/ French (tɔ̃) /

noun

style, fashion, or distinction

Word Origin for ton

C18: from French, from Latin tonus tone

British Dictionary definitions for tons (4 of 4)

ton ³

/ (tʌn) /

noun

slang, mainly British a score or achievement of a hundred, esp a hundred miles per hour, as on a motorcycle

Word Origin for ton

C20: special use of ton 1 applied to quantities of one hundred

Scientific definitions for tons

ton

[ tŭn ]

A unit of weight in the US Customary System equal to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms). Also called short ton See Table at measurement.

A unit of weight in the US Customary System equal to 2,240 pounds (1,008 kilograms). Also called long ton See Table at measurement.

See metric ton.

Idioms and Phrases with tons

ton

see like a ton of bricks.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

ton

noun

Origin of ton

Words nearby ton

Definition for tons (2 of 2)

noun, plural tons [French tawn] /French tɔ̃/.

Origin of ton

OTHER WORDS FROM ton

Example sentences from the Web for tons

British Dictionary definitions for tons (1 of 4)

pl n

adverb

British Dictionary definitions for tons (2 of 4)

noun

Word Origin for ton

British Dictionary definitions for tons (3 of 4)

noun

Word Origin for ton

British Dictionary definitions for tons (4 of 4)

noun

Word Origin for ton

Scientific definitions for tons

Idioms and Phrases with tons

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

ton

noun

Origin of ton

Words nearby ton

Definition for tons (2 of 2)

noun, plural tons [French tawn] /French tɔ̃/.

Origin of ton

OTHER WORDS FROM ton

Words related to tons

Example sentences from the Web for tons

British Dictionary definitions for tons (1 of 4)

pl n

adverb

British Dictionary definitions for tons (2 of 4)

noun

Word Origin for ton

British Dictionary definitions for tons (3 of 4)

noun

Word Origin for ton

British Dictionary definitions for tons (4 of 4)

noun

Word Origin for ton

Scientific definitions for tons

Idioms and Phrases with tons