gross tonnage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Maritime
Quick answer
What does “gross tonnage” mean?
The total enclosed internal volume of a ship measured in units of 100 cubic feet (2.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The total enclosed internal volume of a ship measured in units of 100 cubic feet (2.83 cubic metres) per gross ton.
A standardised measure of a ship's overall internal volume, used for registration, regulation, and commercial purposes such as port dues, canal transit fees, and safety rules.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both follow the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships (1969).
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally infrequent outside maritime contexts. More common in countries with significant maritime industries (UK, US, Norway, Greece, etc.).
Grammar
How to Use “gross tonnage” in a Sentence
The ship has a gross tonnage of X.Gross tonnage is measured in...Fees are calculated per gross tonnage.Vessels exceeding X gross tonnage must...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gross tonnage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form for this noun phrase]
American English
- [No verb form for this noun phrase]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form for this noun phrase]
American English
- [No adverb form for this noun phrase]
adjective
British English
- The gross-tonnage figure is crucial for the harbourmaster.
American English
- The gross-tonnage calculation determined the pilotage fee.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in shipping contracts, port fee calculations, and maritime insurance.
Academic
Used in maritime law, naval architecture, and transport economics research.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context. Defined precisely by international convention for ship classification, safety regulations, and pilotage requirements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gross tonnage”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gross tonnage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gross tonnage”
- Confusing it with weight (it's volume).
- Using 'gross tonnage' to describe cargo weight.
- Pronouncing 'gross' to mean 'disgusting' instead of 'total'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Gross tonnage is a measure of a ship's internal volume, not its weight. It is expressed in 'tons' where one ton equals 100 cubic feet of space.
Gross tonnage is the total internal volume. Net tonnage (or net register tonnage) is the gross tonnage minus the volume of non-cargo spaces (like engine rooms, crew quarters). Net tonnage represents the revenue-earning space.
It is used internationally to apply safety rules, determine manning requirements, calculate port dues, canal transit fees, and for official ship registration statistics.
Yes, since 1994, the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships (1969) has been universally adopted, providing a single standardised system.
The total enclosed internal volume of a ship measured in units of 100 cubic feet (2.
Gross tonnage is usually technical/maritime in register.
Gross tonnage: in British English it is pronounced /ɡrəʊs ˈtʌnɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡroʊs ˈtʌnɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think GROSS as in TOTAL, TONNAGE as in SHIP SIZE. Gross Tonnage = Total Ship Volume.
Conceptual Metaphor
SIZE IS VOLUME (specifically for ships).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'gross tonnage' measure?