ton

IPA/tʌn/
KK[tˈʌn]IPA/tʌn/

ton — noun

  • tonsingular
  • tonsplural

1. a standard unit for measuring weight, equal to exactly one thousand kilograms, u

1.nounB1
Definition

a standard unit for measuring weight, equal to exactly one thousand kilograms, used in most countries worldwide for trade, industry, and everyday measurement

Example

Japan imported over two million metric tons of steel last year alone.

metric tons + of + commodity for trade amounts

The crane at the port can lift a maximum of eighty tons without risk.

Common collocations
  • metric ton
  • million tons
  • tons of steel
  • tons of grain
  • lift [number] tons
  • weigh [number] tons
Synonyms
  • tonne

    same as metric ton, but this spelling is preferred in scientific and British English

  • 1,000 kilograms

    the exact metric equivalent, used when precision is important

Usage Note

In technical or scientific writing, the spelling 'tonne' is sometimes used for the metric ton to distinguish it from UK and US tons.

Common Mistakes

The ship carries 10 long tons.' (when metric is meant)
The ship carries 10 metric tons.
specify the type of ton to avoid confusion between metric, UK, and US systems.

2. a traditional British measurement for heavy objects and commodities, weighing 1,

2.nounB2
Definition

a traditional British measurement for heavy objects and commodities, weighing 1,016 kilograms, that was widely used before the metric system became standard

Example

The old mine records showed coal production in long tons until the 1970s.

long tons for historical UK mining records

Adisa discovered that a long ton is about sixteen kilograms heavier than a metric ton.

Common collocations
  • long ton
  • UK ton
  • imperial ton
  • measured in long tons
Synonyms
  • UK ton

    informal alternative name for the long ton

  • imperial ton

    formal name within the imperial measurement system

  • gross ton

    used in specific shipping contexts to mean the same weight

Usage Note

Now uncommon in everyday use; the metric ton has replaced the long ton in most British industries. You may encounter it in historical documents, older shipping records, or traditional engineering contexts.

Common Mistakes

The British ship weighed 10,000 metric tons.' (when long tons were used)
The British ship weighed 10,000 long tons.
older UK records use long tons, not metric tons.

3. a standard American measurement for heavy goods and commodities, weighing 907 ki

3.nounB2
Definition

a standard American measurement for heavy goods and commodities, weighing 907 kilograms (the same as 2,000 pounds), used in domestic trade across the United States

Example

João learned that US farmers measure their corn harvest in short tons.

short tons for US agricultural measurement

The American steel mill produced over two million short tons last quarter.

Common collocations
  • short ton
  • US ton
  • short tons of [commodity]
  • per short ton
Synonyms
  • US ton

    informal name for the short ton, used to distinguish it from other ton measurements

  • net ton

    used in specific US industrial contexts

  • 2,000 pounds

    the exact weight equivalent in the imperial system

Usage Note

Used almost exclusively in the United States. When reading American sources, 'ton' without a qualifier usually means the short ton of 2,000 pounds (907 kg).

Common Mistakes

The US report said 500 tons of waste, and I assumed metric tons.
The US report said 500 short tons of waste.
American publications often use 'ton' to mean the short ton, which is lighter than a metric ton.

4. a very large number or quantity of something, used informally to emphasise that

4.nounA2
Definition

a very large number or quantity of something, used informally to emphasise that there is more than enough — for example, having tons of work, or a ton of emails waiting for you

Example

Saira had a ton of laundry to fold before her guests arrived.

a ton of + [uncountable noun] for emphasis

There were tons of empty seats at the theatre on Tuesday night.

tons of + plural noun for a large quantity

Common collocations
  • a ton of work
  • tons of money
  • tons of emails
  • tons of food
  • a ton of homework
  • tons of fun
Synonyms
  • a lot

    the most neutral alternative; less emphatic than 'a ton'

  • heaps

    equally informal, with a slightly more physical image of piled-up items

  • loads

    common in British and Australian informal English

  • masses

    British informal, similar to 'loads'

Antonyms
  • a tiny amount

    the opposite end of the quantity spectrum

  • a bit

    informal opposite, suggesting a small quantity

Usage Note

Commonly used in the plural form 'tons of' or the singular 'a ton of' as an intensifier. Considered informal; avoid in formal academic or business writing where 'a large amount of' or 'a great deal of' is preferred.

Common Mistakes

There was tons of traffic on the highway.' (singular verb)
There were tons of cars on the highway.
with 'tons of' the verb agrees with the noun after 'of', not with 'tons'.

5. an informal British term for one hundred pounds sterling, used mainly in casual

5.nounC1
Definition

an informal British term for one hundred pounds sterling, used mainly in casual conversation about money and purchases

Example

The leather jacket cost him three ton at the Camden Market stall.

number + ton as a slang price

Théo borrowed a ton from his flatmate to cover the electricity bill.

Common collocations
  • cost a ton
  • pay [number] ton
  • borrow a ton
  • lose a ton
Synonyms
  • hundred quid

    more widely understood British slang for £100 than 'ton'

Usage Note

This slang is primarily used in London and southern England. The plural is usually 'ton' not 'tons' — e.g. 'five ton' not 'five tons'. Rarely used in writing except in direct speech or dialogue.

Common Mistakes

The ticket cost five tons.
The ticket cost five ton.
the slang plural stays the same as the singular.

6. in cricket, a total of one hundred runs scored by a single batter during one inn

6.nounC1
Definition

in cricket, a total of one hundred runs scored by a single batter during one innings, regarded as a major individual achievement

Example

Asher scored his first test ton against Australia at the Melbourne ground.

score a ton in test cricket context

The crowd gave a standing ovation when the captain reached his ton.

Common collocations
  • score a ton
  • hit a ton
  • make a ton
  • reach a ton
  • first test ton
  • match-winning ton
Synonyms
  • century

    the formal term for 100 runs in cricket, used in official scoreboards and commentary

Usage Note

Also called a 'century' in formal cricket commentary. 'Ton' is the more colloquial term used among players and fans. The batter who scores a ton is said to have 'made a ton' or 'hit a ton'.

7. an informal British term for a speed of exactly one hundred miles per hour, used

7.nounC1
Definition

an informal British term for a speed of exactly one hundred miles per hour, used mainly in driving and motor-racing contexts

Example

The sports car was doing a ton on the motorway before the driver slowed down.

doing a ton as a fixed expression for driving at 100 mph

Christopher's motorcycle could hit a ton in under twelve seconds.

Common collocations
  • do a ton
  • hit a ton
  • doing a ton
  • a ton on the [road name]
Synonyms
  • 100 mph

    the neutral, non-slang equivalent

  • a century

    occasionally used in the same sense but much less common

Usage Note

Almost always used with the verb 'do' in the phrase 'do a ton' (e.g. 'doing a ton'). Refers exclusively to miles per hour, never kilometres. Becoming less common as speed limits and metrication reduce the relevance of 100 mph as a milestone.

Common Mistakes

The car was going a ton on the autobahn.' (confusing miles with km)
The car was doing a ton on the British motorway.
'a ton' specifically means 100 miles per hour, not 100 kilometres per hour.
Idioms

like a ton of bricks

idiom

It means something affects someone very strongly or suddenly.

The news of her failure hit Maya like a ton of bricks.

When the boss saw the mistake, he came down on Brian like a ton of bricks.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/4

All four words can indicate a large quantity, but they differ in tone and imagery. 'Lot' is the most neutral and widely applicable — you can use 'a lot of' in almost any context. 'Heap' and 'pile' carry a concrete, physical image of items stacked or accumulated (a heap of dirty clothes, a pile of books). 'Load' is slightly more informal and common in British and Australian English, often used for burdens (a load of paperwork). 'Ton' (or 'tons of') adds emphatic exaggeration that the others lack. For example: 'I have a lot of work' is a simple statement; 'I have tons of work' suggests you feel overwhelmed. 'A heap of laundry' paints a physical picture, whereas 'a ton of laundry' emphasises how much there is.

lot ↗heap ↗pile ↗load ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • tons of
  • a ton of
  • weigh a ton
  • cost a ton

Prepositions

  • per ton
  • by the ton
  • in tons

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The word 'ton' comes from the Old English word 'tunne', meaning a large cask or barrel. In the Middle Ages, a 'ton' originally referred to the weight of a full wine cask — a convenient standard for trade. Different countries gradually developed their own official weights for this cask-based measure, giving rise to the metric ton (1,000 kg), the long ton (1,016 kg) used in Britain, and the short ton (907 kg) used in the United States. The figurative uses for 'a large amount', as well as the slang meanings for £100 and 100 mph, all stem from the association of 'ton' with a big, round, satisfyingly complete number.