ton

Everyday

1. A ton is a large unit of weight. In the UK an old ton is 2,240 pounds (long ton); in the US a ton is 2,000 pounds (short ton). tree →
2. A tonne, or metric ton, is 1,000 kilograms; in science and maths we usually use this. tree →
3. (informal) A ton or tons of something means a lot of it: I've got tons of homework. tree →
4. (UK, slang) A ton is a hundred: a hundred runs in cricket, a hundred miles an hour, or a hundred pounds. tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons on measurement, pupils convert: 1 tonne = 1,000 kg, so a 2.5-tonne elephant weighs 2,500 kg; lorry weight limits on bridges are given in tonnes. In everyday talk, «tons of», «weighs a ton» and «like a ton of bricks» mean a lot or very heavy. In cricket, scoring «a ton» is making a century (100 runs). Phrases: «tons of», «weighs a ton», «come down on someone like a ton of bricks», «do a ton» (UK, drive at 100 mph).

Examples

• An elephant can weigh about six tonnes. tree →
• 1 tonne is the same as 1,000 kilograms. tree →
• This bag weighs a ton! tree →
• I've got tons of homework tonight. tree →
• (UK, slang) The batsman scored a ton — one hundred runs. tree →
• The bridge sign says lorries must weigh less than 7.5 tonnes. tree →
• If you're cheeky, the teacher will come down on you like a ton of bricks. tree →
• "We'll wager you a ton of coined gold, a hundred pounds to the hundred-weight." tree →

Note

Homophone trap: «ton» and «tonne» sound the same ("tun"), but tonne = 1,000 kg exactly; ton (US) ≈ 907 kg; ton (UK long) ≈ 1,016 kg. In school maths, use tonnes (t). «Tons of» (a lot) is informal and not an exact number. Maths: tonnes → kg, multiply by 1,000.