Definitions

1. noun

A payment or fee for the privilege of trading with a merchant ship, especially in a foreign port.

“The merchant had to pay a significant amount of punnage to dock at the foreign port.”

2. noun

A payment or tax, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, levied on merchant ships in English ports.

“The shipowner was required to pay a certain amount of punnage to the English authorities.”

3. noun

The cargo or goods carried on a merchant ship.

“The ship’s punnage was inspected by customs officials before it could dock.”