Word
counterweight
Phoneticscoun·ter·weight, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkaʊntɝˌweɪt/
UK/kˈaʊntəwˌeɪt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a heavy weight that balances another weight to keep something steady. You see it in lifts and cranes where it stops one side from falling too fast.
n. a mass that balances an opposing load to provide stability or reduce effort in a mechanical system. Often incorporated into lifts, cranes, and rotating machinery.
Examples
“The lift uses a heavy counterweight for balance.”
“The crane operator checked the counterweight before lifting the steel beams onto the roof.”
“Engineers sized the elevator's counterweight to offset the car plus half its rated load, minimizing motor strain across thousands of daily cycles.”
Examples
simple
“The lift uses a heavy counterweight for balance.”
contextual
“The crane operator checked the counterweight before lifting the steel beams onto the roof.”
complex
“Engineers sized the elevator's counterweight to offset the car plus half its rated load, minimizing motor strain across thousands of daily cycles.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “counterweight” in context.
Verb
01. act as counterweight
“The steel block acts as a counterweight to keep the crane steady.”
verb + prep + noun
02. adjust counterweight
“You must adjust the counterweight before lifting heavy steel beams.”
verb + noun
03. attach counterweight
“The crew attached a counterweight to the rear of the forklift.”
verb + noun
04. counterweight balances
“The counterweight balances the car so the motor uses less energy.”
noun + verb
05. counterweight descends
“As the lift goes up, the counterweight descends inside the shaft.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. concrete counterweight
“Workers lowered a concrete counterweight into the base of the lift shaft.”
adj + noun
07. heavy counterweight
“The crane uses a heavy counterweight to stop the arm from tipping over.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. counterweight to dominance
“The partnership offers a counterweight to dominance by one large firm.”
noun + prep + noun
09. counterweight to power
“The bloc aims to be a counterweight to power in the region.”
noun + prep + noun
10. act as a counterweight to
“The small party acts as a counterweight to the president's power.”
11. balance with a counterweight
“Engineers balanced the bridge section with a counterweight.”
12. install a concrete counterweight
“They installed a concrete counterweight to stabilise the tower crane.”
Etymology
From counter- + weight.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/counterweight