the weight of goods carried in a boat or a ship.-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, n. (b).-a duty or impost on vessels, estimated per ton, or, a duty, toll, or rate payable on goods per ton transported on canals.-the whole amount of shipping estimated by tons; as, the tonnage of the united states. see ton.