Ton

(tun.) [From A. S. tunne, a large cask.] (Com.) A weight equal to 20 cwt., or 2,240 lbs. avoirdupois. The long ton, sometimes employed in large commercial transactions, is equivalent to 21 cwt., or 2,352 lbs. av. The short ton, that most commonly used in the U. States, is generally take nat 2,000 lbs. A ton of flour consists of 8 sacks, or 10 barrels; of potatoes, 60 bush.; of round timber, 40 solid ft.; of square timber, 54ft.-(Naut.) A measurement of 40 cubic feet, used in estimating the burden or stowage-room of a ship; thus we say a ship of 3,000 tons; in other words, a ship which will carry 3,000 tons under decks. [s. 899]