metric ton

noun

: a unit of mass equal to 1000 kilograms see Metric System Table

Examples of metric ton in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That's in spite of an ongoing global increase in the burning of fossil fuels for energy, with the Global Carbon Budget last month finding that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and cement will rise to a record 37 billion metric tons in 2024. David Vetter, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 Widespread adoption of heat pumps can make a major dent in the 11 million metric tons of greenhouse gases emitted by buildings annually, which is more than 13% of statewide emissions. Susan Miller, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024 By some estimates, the homes in the district emit just 0.13 metric tons per resident for energy use annually—significantly below Heidelberg’s citywide average of 2 metric tons. Marina Lopes, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024 One 2018 study in the journal Nature found that Antarctica lost around 3 trillion metric tons of ice from 1992 to 2017, with the rate of loss increasing from about 76 billion metric tons per year before 2012 to 219 billion metric tons per year in most recent years. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for metric ton 

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of metric ton was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near metric ton

Cite this Entry

“Metric ton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metric%20ton. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

metric ton

noun
: a unit of mass equal to 1000 kilograms see metric system

More from Merriam-Webster on metric ton

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!