tonnage

noun

ton·​nage ˈtə-nij 

1

a

: the cubical content of a merchant ship in units of 100 cubic feet

b

: the displacement of a warship

2

a

: total weight in tons shipped, carried, or produced

b

: impressively large amount or weight

3

: a duty formerly levied on every tun of wine imported into England

4

a

: a duty or impost on vessels based on cargo capacity

b

: a duty on goods per ton transported

5

: ships in terms of the total number of tons registered or carried or of their carrying capacity

Examples of tonnage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Space also continues to be an important factor in the yacht designs of the moment, with naval architects looking for more ways to add in extra gross tonnage without extending the overall length. —Katia Damborsky, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2025

So far, there has not been an increase in tonnage sent to Sylmar’s Sunshine Canyon, which accepts the most waste annually. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024

The region’s manufacturing dominance has contributed 56 percent of the global 12 percent year-on-year increase in tonnages in the first 10 months of 2024, according to analysis by WorldACD Market Data. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 Dec. 2024

Excluding oil trade with Canada and Mexico, the tonnage of U.S. exports has been greater than the tonnage of imports since 2020. —Ken Roberts, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

in sense 3, from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from tonne tun; in other senses, from ton entry 1 — more at tunnel

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

tonnage

noun

ton·​nage ˈtən-ij 

1

: a tax on ships based on tons carried

2

: ships in terms of the total number of tons that are or can be carried

3

: total weight in tons shipped, carried, or mined