What does tun mean?
Tun is a rare, largely historical word for a large wooden cask in which wine was stored and transported. The term is especially associated with medieval and early modern Europe, when wine commonly traveled in large wooden containers rather than bottles. A tun could also function as a unit or measure of wine, historically associated with the capacity of such a cask. In modern English, the noun appears mainly in historical writing, descriptions of wine cellars, and references to old systems of measurement. It should not be confused with “tune,” meaning a melody or musical composition. Although uncommon, tun is useful to anyone reading older literature, studying the history of wine trade, or exploring the development of English measurement words. Its striking etymology also connects it with “ton” and “tonne,” all of which ultimately relate to the Latin word for a cask or barrel.
nounA tun is a large wooden cask used for storing and transporting wine, especially in medieval and early modern Europe. By extension, it can also denote a formerly used measure of wine.
- A large wooden cask used for storing or transporting wine.
- A historical measure of wine, originally defined by the capacity of a tun.
"The estate kept its finest vintage in a great oak tun."
"The estate kept its finest vintage in a great oak tun."
"The ledger records payment of one tun of wine to the household."
The standard plural is “tuns”; the word may also be used as a unit of wine.
"The merchant shipped two tuns of ale to the port."
Both “tun” and “ton” owe their names to a barrel: Latin tonna was the cask before it became associated with measures of wine and weight.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tun come from?
The English noun tun developed from Middle English tun, borrowed from Old French ton, meaning a cask or tun, ultimately from Latin tonna, a cask or barrel. The same source underlies words including ton, tonne, tonneau, and tunnel; the cask’s capacity came to stand for quantities of wine and, in the case of ton and tonne, measures of weight. Tun remained especially prominent in contexts connected with wine storage and commerce.
Related word forms
How tun is actually used
Tun is rare in contemporary English and is encountered chiefly in historical, literary, or specialist contexts relating to wine storage, trade, or traditional measures. It is more characteristic of British usage, though it is also recorded in American English.
Easily confused with tun
A tun is a large wine cask, whereas a tune is a melody or musical composition.