tun
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.”
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.
Word forms
tunned past tense, tuns plural, tuns plural, tunob plural, tuns plural, Tuns plural, tuns singular
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.