Counterweight

Definitions

1. A heavy mass of often iron or concrete, mechanically linked in opposition to a load which is to be raised and lowered, with the intent of reducing the amount of work which must be done to effect the raising and lowering. Counterweights are used, for example, in cable-hauled elevators and some kinds of movable bridges (e.g. a bascule bridge).
2. A counterbalance.
   figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“Four 110-ton counterweights, one in each tower, make⟳ this feat possible by reducing the effective weight to be lifted to some 25 tons; but an additional 20 tons (a very heavy snow⟳ load⟳) can be lifted if necessary.”

“Like⟳ other supertall towers, 432 Park⟳ relies on the counterweight system to address the forces of wind and reduce⟳ the feeling of swaying for residents.”

“A counterweight to the anti-immigrant fear mongering of the former leader of the right-wing U.K. Independence Party, Nigel Farage, Lexiteers^([sic]) argued a left-wing, democratic and internationalist case for Brexit.”

CEFR level