tonnage Definition
- 1the weight of the goods carried by a ship or the total amount of weight that a ship can carry
- 2a tax or duty based on the weight of goods or the capacity of a ship
Using tonnage: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "tonnage" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The ship's tonnage was too great for the shallow waters.
Example
The tonnage of the cargo was estimated at 10,000 tons.
Example
The port charges a tonnage fee for every ship that enters its waters.
tonnage Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with tonnage
gross tonnage
the total internal cubic capacity of a ship measured in units of 100 cubic feet (2.83 cubic meters)
Example
The gross tonnage of the ship was 50,000 tons.
the volume of cargo that a ship can carry measured in units of 100 cubic feet (2.83 cubic meters), after deducting the space occupied by the crew, machinery, and fuel
Example
The net tonnage of the ship was 30,000 tons.
a measure of the internal volume of a ship's hull, used in calculating various fees and taxes
Example
The register tonnage of the ship was 40,000 tons.
Origins of tonnage
from Old French 'tonnage', from 'tonne', meaning 'tun'
Summary: tonnage in Brief
'Tonnage' [tʌnɪdʒ] refers to the weight of goods carried by a ship or the total amount of weight it can carry. It is also a tax or duty based on the weight of goods or the capacity of a ship. The term includes phrases like 'gross tonnage,' 'net tonnage,' and 'register tonnage,' which are measures of a ship's internal volume. Examples include 'The ship's tonnage was too great for the shallow waters,' and 'The port charges a tonnage fee for every ship that enters its waters.'
