1
a
: the cubical content of a merchant ship in units of 100 cubic feet
b
: the displacement of a warship
2
a
: total weight in tons shipped, carried, or produced
b
: impressively large amount or weight
3
: a duty formerly levied on every tun of wine imported into England
4
a
: a duty or impost on vessels based on cargo capacity
b
: a duty on goods per ton transported
5
: ships in terms of the total number of tons registered or carried or of their carrying capacity
Examples of tonnage in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Day said the drop in construction material tonnage is the result of a seasonal slowdown in construction, which tends to contract in the fall and winter.
—
Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2025
Such a high percentage requires the ACP to adjust its budget based on the tonnage, since the canal contributes 20 percent to 25 percent of the Panamanian government’s overall revenue, according to Vásquez.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 17 Sep. 2025
The impressive tonnage of news stories, Instagram videos, and Internet hot takes generated more interest than ever in the dusty trail zigzagging up the peak.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 12 Sep. 2025
While there would be considerable tonnage of general entertainment cable networks, the main difference between the current scenario and 2019 is that CNN would be part of the package.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tonnage
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Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2025
Such a high percentage requires the ACP to adjust its budget based on the tonnage, since the canal contributes 20 percent to 25 percent of the Panamanian government’s overall revenue, according to Vásquez.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 17 Sep. 2025
The impressive tonnage of news stories, Instagram videos, and Internet hot takes generated more interest than ever in the dusty trail zigzagging up the peak.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 12 Sep. 2025
While there would be considerable tonnage of general entertainment cable networks, the main difference between the current scenario and 2019 is that CNN would be part of the package.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tonnage
Cite this Entry
“Tonnage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonnage. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tonnage
noun
ton·nage
ˈtən-ij 
1
: a tax on ships based on tons carried
2
: ships in terms of the total number of tons that are or can be carried
3
: total weight in tons shipped, carried, or mined
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