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

Meanwhile, Trump has already zeroed in on U.S. shipbuilding as one of his early national defense priorities, as the People’s Liberation Army Navy builds an ambitious new fleet that has already surpassed America’s in number (though not in tonnage or in quality). —The Editors, National Review, 12 Apr. 2025

With a gross tonnage of 498 GT, the new flagship will cruise the seas powered by twin MAN 1,450 hp engines. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2025

The port of Duluth on Lake Superior moves the most tonnage to the Great Lakes. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025

Because of Gonzaga’s presence in the new Pac-12 and the potential for tonnage (i.e., quantity) to play an important role for streaming companies, that number might prove to be slightly lower. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for tonnage

• dunnage

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