Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Tonnage
1.
The weight of goods carried in a boat or a ship.
2.
The cubical content or burden of a vessel, or vessels, in tons; or, the amount of weight which one or several vessels may carry. See
Ton
, Noun.
(b)
. A fleet . . . with an aggregate
tonnage
of 60,000 seemed sufficient to conquer the world. Motley.
3.
A duty or impost on vessels, estimated per ton, or, a duty, toll, or rate payable on goods per ton transported on canals.
4.
The whole amount of shipping estimated by tons;
as, the
. See tonnage
of the United StatesTon
. ☞ There are in common use the following terms relating to tonnage: (a) Displacement. (b) Register tonnage, gross and net. (c) Freight tonnage. (d) Builders’ measurement. (e) Yacht measurement. The first is mainly used for war vessels, where the total weight is likely to be nearly constant. The second is the most important, being that used for commercial purposes. The third and fourth are different rules for ascertaining the actual burden-carrying power of a vessel, and the fifth is for the proper classification of pleasure craft. Gross tonnage expresses the total cubical interior of a vessel; net tonnage, the cubical space actually available for freight-carrying purposes. Rules for ascertaining these measurements are established by law.
Webster 1828 Edition
Tonnage
TON'NAGE
,Noun.
1.
The weight of goods carried in a boat or ship.2.
The cubical content or burthen of a ship in tuns; or the amount of weight which she may carry.3.
A duty or impost on ships, estimated per tun; or a duty, toll or rate payable on goods per tun, transported on canals.