ton
ton1 / tən/ (abbr.: t also tn) • n. 1. (also short ton) a unit of weight equal to 2,000 pounds avoirdupois (907.19 kg). ∎ (also long ton) a unit of weight equal to 2,240 pounds avoirdupois (1016.05 kg). ∎ short for metric ton. ∎ (also displacement ton) a unit of measurement of a ship's weight representing the weight of water it displaces, equal to 2,240 pounds or 35 cubic feet (0.99 cu m). ∎ (also freight ton) a unit of weight or volume of sea cargo, equal to a metric ton (1,000kg) or 40 cubic feet. ∎ (also gross ton) a unit of gross internal capacity, equal to 100 cubic feet (2.83 cu m). ∎ (also net or register ton) an equivalent unit of net internal capacity. ∎ a unit of refrigerating power able to freeze 2,000 pounds of water at 0°C in 24 hours. ∎ a measure of capacity for various materials, esp. 40 cubic feet of timber.2. (usu. a ton of/tons of) inf. a large number or amount: all of a sudden I had tons of friends that bag of yours weighs a ton.PHRASES: like a ton of brickssee brick.ton2 / tôn/ • n. fashionable style or distinction. ∎ (the ton) [treated as sing. or pl.] fashionable society.