Dictionary

tonnage

noun ton·nage \ˈtə-nij\

: the size of a ship or the total weight that it carries in tons

: the total weight or amount of something in tons

Full Definition of TONNAGE

1
:  a duty formerly levied on every tun of wine imported into England
2
a :  a duty or impost on vessels based on cargo capacity
b :  a duty on goods per ton transported
3
:  ships in terms of the total number of tons registered or carried or of their carrying capacity
4
a :  the cubical content of a merchant ship in units of 100 cubic feet
b :  the displacement of a warship
5
a :  total weight in tons shipped, carried, or produced
b :  impressively large amount or weight
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Origin of TONNAGE

in sense 1, from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from tonne tun; in other senses, from 1ton — more at tunnel
First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with TONNAGE

TONNAGE Defined for Kids

tonnage

noun ton·nage \ˈtə-nij\

Definition of TONNAGE for Kids

1
:  ships in terms of the total number of tons that are or can be carried
2
:  total weight in tons shipped, carried, or mined
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