Ton

Ton is any of several units of measure of mass, volume or force. It has a long history and has acquired several meanings and uses.

As a unit of mass, ton can mean:

• the long ton, which is 2,240 pounds (1,016.0 kilograms)
• the tonne, also called the metric ton, which is 1,000 kilograms (about 2,204.6 pounds) or 1 megagram.
• the short ton, which is 2,000 pounds (907.2 kilograms)

Its original use as a unit of volume has continued in the capacity of cargo ships and in units such as the freight ton and a number of other units, ranging from 35 to 100 cubic feet (0.99 to 2.83 m³) in size.

Because the ton (of any system of measuring weight) is usually the heaviest unit named in colloquial speech, its name also has figurative uses, singular and plural, informally meaning a large amount or quantity, or to a great degree, as in "There's a ton of bees in this hive," "We have tons of homework," and "I love you a ton."