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counterweight

[ koun-ter-weyt ]

/ ˈkaʊn tərˌweɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR counterweight ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a weight used as a counterbalance.

verb (used with object)

to balance or equip with a counterweight.

Origin of counterweight

First recorded in 1685–95; counter- + weight

Words nearby counterweight

countertype, countervail, countervailing duty, counterview, counterweigh, counterweight, counterword, counterwork, countess, counting chamber, counting house

Example sentences from the Web for counterweight

There is the fact that in many of these states Democratic legislatures are entrenched, and voters are looking for a counterweight.

Return of the Northeastern Republican |David Freedlander |November 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Historically, the former Soviet Union has been a counterweight to the United States.

Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: July 27 |PunditFact.com |July 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
This would leave the Afghan Taliban intact as a counterweight to Indian influence in Afghanistan.

What Did Pakistan Know? |John R. Schmidt |May 17, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
We at The Daily Beast seek to provide a counterweight to all this sanctimony.

Extremely Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide |The Daily Beast |December 19, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

Perhaps to counterweight the Sturm und Drang of the script, there was considerable laughter and lightheartedness on the set.

Liz Taylor's Secret Life |William J. Mann |October 19, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
At the opposite end of the box frame a counterweight was attached which balanced about 700 lb.

Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Vol. LXVIII, Sept. 1910 |B. H. M. Hewett
The lighter's near tanks were then emptied, and her outer tanks were filled with water, which thus acted as a counterweight.

The Harwich Naval Forces |E. F. Knight
At each end of the furnace there is a cast-iron door, which slides up and down in an iron frame, and is poised by a counterweight.

A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines |Andrew Ure
To the end of this lever is secured a rope which passes over pulleys to a counterweight.

Magic, Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions Including Trick Photography |Albert A. Hopkins
It ascends by the counterweight at the pump end of the working beam.

A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines |Andrew Ure

British Dictionary definitions for counterweight

counterweight

/ (ˈkaʊntəˌweɪt) /

noun

a counterbalancing weight, influence, or force

Derived forms of counterweight

counterweighted, adjective