a unit of weight equal to 2240lb (about 1016kg); a long ton
a metric ton
a unit approximately equal to the volume of one long ton of seawater, used in reckoning the displacement of ships, and equal to 0.99 cubic m (35 cubic ft); a displacement ton
informal (also in pl) a great quantity
chiefly Brit, informal a group, score, or speed of 100
= long ton
= short ton
= tonne
= net ton
= displacement ton
= gross ton
informal
(also in pl) a large amount
a great weight
weighs a ton
chiefly Brit, informal a group, score, or speed of 100
Middle English tunne variant of tun1. Both forms were used interchangeably for units of weight and capacity, and for the cask, until the 17th cent., when the current divisions began to emerge