ton1
/
tʌn/
n.
-
(also long ton)
a unit of weight equal to 2,240 lb avoirdupois (1016.05 kg).
-
(also short ton)
chiefly N. Amer. a unit of weight equal to 2,000 lb avoirdupois (907.19 kg).
- short for metric ton.
-
(also displacement ton)
a unit of measurement of a ship's weight representing the weight of water it displaces with the load line just immersed, equal to 2,240 lb or 35 cu. ft (0.99 cubic metres).
-
(also freight ton)
a unit of weight or volume of sea cargo, equal to a metric ton (1,000 kg) or 40 cu. ft.
-
(also gross ton)
a unit of gross internal capacity, equal to 100 cu. ft (2.83 cubic metres).
▸
(also net or register ton)
an equivalent unit of net internal capacity.
- a unit of refrigerating power able to freeze 2,000 lb of water at 0°C in 24 hours.
- a measure of capacity for various materials, especially 40 cu. ft of wood.
- informal a large number or amount.
- Brit. informal a hundred, in particular a speed of 100 mph, a score of 100 or more, or a sum of £100.
adv.
(
tons)
Brit. informal much; a lot:
I feel tons better.
Etymology
ME: var. of tun, both spellings being used for the container and the weight.
ton2
/
tɒ̃/
n.
- fashionable style or distinction.
-
(the ton)
[treated as sing. or pl.]
fashionable society.
Etymology
Fr., from L. tonus (see tone).