Tonnage
/ˈtʌn.ɪdʒ/noun
The carrying capacity or total weight of a ship, vehicle, or the amount of cargo measured in tons.
Did you know?The word started with the Old French tonnel, a cask or barrel, and only later evolved into a technical term for measuring ships—proof that even maritime power was once measured by barrels.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
LL
tonna
“A cask or tun, a large barrel”
Old French
OF
tonne
“A large cask or barrel”
Middle English
ME
tonnage
“A duty or tax on casks; later, a measure based on tons”
14th–15th Century
English
tonnage
“The capacity or burden of a ship measured by tons”
Modern English
English
tonnage
“The total weight or carrying capacity measured in tons”
Explore more surprising origins