First Known Use: 15th century
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
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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