noun
tun
tuhn
Tun (noun) means a large cask or barrel, especially one used for wine or beer. Example: “The cellar held a dozen oak tuns of aging wine.”
noun
1
A large cask or barrel, especially one used for wine or beer.
"The cellar held a dozen oak tuns of aging wine."
2
An old unit of liquid volume based on the size of such a cask.
"A tun was traditionally reckoned as 252 wine gallons."
How to use tun
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old word for a big barrel, or the amount of liquid it holds — mostly seen in historical or brewing contexts today.
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Word forms
- Plural
- tuns, tunob
- Third person singular
- tuns
- Past tense
- tunned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cellar held a dozen oak _____ of aging wine.
Etymology
From Old English tunne, "cask" or "barrel," a word shared across many Germanic languages.
Rhymes for tun
See all rhymes for tun →Frequently asked questions
What does “tun” mean?
The word “tun” means a large cask or barrel, especially one used for wine or beer. In plain terms, an old word for a big barrel, or the amount of liquid it holds — mostly seen in historical or brewing contexts today.
How do you pronounce “tun”?
“Tun” is pronounced tuhn (/tʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “tun” in a sentence?
Here is “tun” used in a sentence: “The cellar held a dozen oak tuns of aging wine.”
What part of speech is “tun”?
“Tun” is a noun.
Where does the word “tun” come from?
The word “tun” comes from Old English. From Old English tunne, "cask" or "barrel," a word shared across many Germanic languages.
How many meanings does “tun” have?
“Tun” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large cask or barrel, especially one used for wine or beer.
