metric ton

American  

noun

1. a unit of 1000 kilograms, equivalent to 2204.62 avoirdupois pounds.

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metric ton British  

noun

1. another name (not in technical use) for tonne

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metric ton Scientific  

1. A unit of mass or weight in the metric system equal to 1,000 kilograms (2,205 pounds).

2. See Table at measurement

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Etymology

Origin of metric ton

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

LME three-month copper futures are up nearly 1% to $14,080 a metric ton.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

The average price of very low-sulfur fuel oil has risen 70% to $925 per metric ton at the world’s top ports since the war started.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

Futures are up 15% for the week through Friday at $4,200 a metric ton, having surged over 20% to $4,400 for the first time since late January on Thursday.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Benchmark lithium prices are currently about $26,000 per metric ton; a year ago, prices were below $10,000 per metric ton.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

The company is fined for each metric ton of pollutants over the legal limit.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt