Definition

1. Noun:
   • A British unit of weight equivalent to 2240 pounds: The "long ton" is a traditional unit of mass used primarily in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries. It is equal to 2,240 pounds (avoirdupois) or approximately 1,016.05 kilograms.

Usage

• The "long ton" is used in specific contexts, such as historical measurements, certain industries (like shipping or commodities in the UK), and to differentiate from the "short ton" (2,000 lbs) used in the United States.
• It is often abbreviated as "tn" or written out as "ton" in British contexts, though "long ton" is used for clarity when contrasting with other ton measurements.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The ship's cargo capacity was measured as 5,000 long tons.
  • In the old contract, the coal was priced per long ton.
  • A long ton is heavier than a short ton by 240 pounds.

Advanced Usage

• "Gross ton": In shipping, "gross ton" can refer to a unit of volume (100 cubic feet), but historically and in some contexts, it has been conflated with the weight measure of a long ton. Clarity is needed based on context.
• "Imperial ton": This is another name for the long ton, emphasizing its use in the British Imperial system of weights and measures.

Variants and Related Words

• Ton (UK): Often used synonymously with "long ton" in British English.
• Short ton: A unit of weight equal to 2,000 pounds, used primarily in the United States.
• Metric ton (tonne): A unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms (approximately 2,204.62 pounds).

Synonyms

• Imperial ton: British ton.
• Weight ton (in specific technical contexts to distinguish from volume tons).

Related Phrases

• "Long ton per square inch": A unit of pressure, though this is a highly specialized and rare technical usage.
• "Deadweight tonnage": In shipping, this can be measured in long tons, representing the total weight a ship can carry.

Noun

1. a British unit of weight equivalent to 2240 pounds