[ton] n, pl tons also ton [ME tunne unit of weight or capacity--more at tun] (14c) 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 usu. reckoned at 40 cubic feet--called also measurement ton
2. a: any of various units of weight: (1): long ton (2): short ton b: metric ton
3: a great quantity: lot--often used in pl. "ate ~s of hamburgers" "has ~s of money"
[2]ton n [F, lit., tone, fr. L tonus] (1765) 1: the prevailing fashion: vogue
2: the quality or state of being smart or fashionable