tonnage

ton·nage

noun \ˈtə-nij\

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

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

dunnage