counterweight

Everyday

1. A counterweight is a heavy weight used to balance another weight, so that something heavy is easier to lift or does not tip over. tree →
2. Figuratively, a counterweight is anything that balances something else, such as one idea balancing another. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on forces and levers, a counterweight balances a load, as on a seesaw, a crane, a lift (elevator) or a drawbridge. Cranes have big concrete counterweights at the back so they do not fall over. In history, a trebuchet used a heavy counterweight to throw stones. Phrases: «act as a counterweight», «a counterweight to».

Examples

• The crane has a huge counterweight to stop it tipping. tree →
• A lift uses a counterweight so the motor does less work. tree →
• The trebuchet's counterweight dropped and the arm flung the stone. tree →
• On a seesaw, a heavier child can be a counterweight to two smaller ones. tree →
• We used a bag of marbles as a counterweight in our lever experiment. tree →
• Grandad's calm voice was a counterweight to all the shouting. tree →

Note

Countable. Written as one word. In balance problems the counterweight's turning effect must equal the load's: weight times distance from the pivot is the same on both sides (for example 10 kg at 2 m balances 20 kg at 1 m).