# tonnage

/ˈtənədʒ/ (US) · /tˈʌnɪdʒ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tonnage
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the total weight of a ship or the amount of goods it carries. It can also mean the total amount of something, like the number of books published.

For teachers: the total weight of a ship or the amount of cargo it carries. In a broader sense, it refers to the total quantity or volume of a substance or product.

## Examples

- The ship has a high tonnage.
- The port authority increased the tonnage of goods allowed through the harbor to meet the growing demand for exports.
- While the vessel's structural integrity was sound, its high tonnage made it difficult to navigate through the narrow channels of the estuary during the winter months.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.