ton-mile

American  

[tuhn-mahyl] / ˈtʌnˈmaɪl /

noun

1. a unit of freight transportation measurement equivalent to a ton of freight transported one mile.

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Other Word Forms

• ton-mileage noun

Etymology

Origin of ton-mile

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Railroads carry 43 percent of the nation’s freight as measured by the ton-mile, according to their trade group, the Association of American Railroads.

From BusinessWeek • Feb. 7, 2012

Air freight's big millstone is still its expense: rates average a costly 11.1� per ton-mile v. only 1.3� by rail and 6.3� by truck.

From Time Magazine Archive

Main fact: the carriers' present rate for fresh produce is 77� per ton-mile.

From Time Magazine Archive

Their ton-mile capacity will be ten times that of today's "work horse of the airlines," the 25,200-lb.

From Time Magazine Archive

A rate per ton-mile for each class of freight is out of question, because a large part of the cost to the company consists in loading, handling, and storing the goods.

From Commercial Geography A Book for High Schools, Commercial Courses, and Business Colleges by Redway, Jacques W. (Jacques Wardlaw)