Ton: meaning, definitions and examples

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ton

[tʌn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

unit of weight

A unit of weight equal to 2,000 pounds, used in the United States and other countries to measure the weight of goods that are usually transported in large quantities, such as coal, grain, or oil.

Synonyms

imperial ton, long ton, metric ton.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ton	Used in general, informal or non-technical contexts to refer to a large amount of something. Not specific to any particular measurement system. I have a ton of work to do today. She's got a ton of friends.
metric ton	Used internationally and in most scientific and technical scenarios. It refers to a unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms or approximately 2,204.62 pounds. The factory produces steel at a rate of 5,000 metric tons per year. We need to transport 3 metric tons of goods.
imperial ton	More commonly used in the UK and other countries that follow the imperial system. It specifically refers to a unit of weight equal to 2,240 pounds. The shipment weighs an imperial ton. This ancient ship could carry up to 200 imperial tons of cargo.
long ton	Used mainly in the UK and Commonwealth countries. It is equivalent to the imperial ton, being 2,240 pounds. Not commonly used in everyday conversation. The tanker has a capacity of 50,000 long tons of oil. They estimated the load at around 100 long tons.

Examples of usage

The ship was carrying over 20 tons of coal.
The truck was loaded with several tons of sand.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

pleasing sound

A musical or vocal sound that is pleasant to hear.

Synonyms

note, pitch, sound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ton	An informal term for a large amount or weight, often used in British English; not related to sound. I've got a ton of work to do today. They bought a ton of bricks for the construction.
sound	A general term for anything that can be heard, encompassing all noises, tones, and musical notes. The sound of the waves was very relaxing. She loved the sound of the violin.
note	Refers to a single sound at a specific pitch and duration in music, or a brief written message. She played a wrong note on the piano. He left a note on the fridge reminding her to buy milk.
pitch	Describes how high or low a sound is in terms of frequency, often used in music and speech. Her pitch was perfect during the solo. The pitch of his voice rose when he was excited.

Examples of usage

The singer's voice had a beautiful ton.
The orchestra produced a rich and warm ton.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'ton' comes from the Old French term 'tonne,' which means a cask or barrel.
Originally, it referred to a measure of wine and later evolved to denote weight.
In the 14th century, 'ton' was introduced into English from Middle English and Old French.

Science

A metric ton (or tonne) is a volume measurement primarily used in the metric system, equal to 1,000 kilograms.
The ton is often used in scientific contexts to measure large-scale objects like vehicles or building materials.
In physics, the concept of weight relates to the force exerted by gravity on an object, thus a ton reflects significant weight.

Cultural Significance

In popular culture, expressions like 'a ton of fun' underscore its metaphorical use to signify large quantities.
Some expressions like 'weight of a ton' are often used to convey emotional heaviness or stress.
Ton prices are critical in many industries such as shipping, where cost is often calculated based on weight.

Economics

In commerce, freight charges are often calculated per ton, impacting shipping and transportation costs.
A 'metric ton' and 'long ton' can cause confusion in international shipping due to different weight standards.
The production and sale of goods like steel and coal are frequently measured in tons, reflecting bulk and value.

Environment

Environmental studies often measure carbon footprints in tons to assess pollution and its impact.
Heavy weights like tons are essential in logistics to calculate load capacity in transportation systems.
The concept of tonnage can also relate to waste management, where waste is measured to assess disposal methods.

Translations

Translations of the word "ton" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tonelada

🇮🇳 टन

🇩🇪 Tonne

🇮🇩 ton

🇺🇦 тонна

🇵🇱 tona

🇯🇵 トン

🇫🇷 tonne

🇪🇸 tonelada

🇹🇷 ton

🇰🇷 톤

🇸🇦 طن

🇨🇿 tuna

🇸🇰 tona

🇨🇳 吨

🇸🇮 tona

🇮🇸 tonn

🇰🇿 тонна

🇬🇪 ტონა

🇦🇿 tonna

🇲🇽 tonelada

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,598, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2595 reaching
2596 gun
2597 entering
2598 ton
2599 appellant
2600 evolution
2601 depending
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