n.
Pronunciation: ' t ə n
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural tons also ton
Etymology: Middle English tunne unit of weight or capacity ― more at TUN
Date: 14th century
1 a : a unit of internal capacity for ships equal to 100 cubic feet ― called also register ton b : a unit approximately equal to the volume of a long ton weight of seawater used in reckoning the displacement of ships and equal to 35 cubic feet c : a unit of volume for cargo freight usually reckoned at 40 cubic feet ― called also measurement ton
2 : any of various units of weight: a ― see WEIGHT table b : METRIC TON
3 : a great quantity : LOT <ate ton s of cookies> <has ton s of money> <a ton of work to do>