noun
tonne
tuhn
noun
1
A metric unit of mass equal to 1000 kilograms.
"The cargo ship can carry thousands of tonnes of grain."
How to Use Tonne
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe metric version of a "ton" — always exactly 1000 kg.
UK vs US
British English commonly spells this "tonne" for the metric unit and reserves "ton" for the imperial unit; American English typically just uses "ton" or "metric ton."
Easily confused with
Word Forms
tonnes plural, Tonnes plural
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The cargo ship can carry thousands of _____ of grain.
Etymology
From French tonne; a doublet of "ton" and "tun."