counterweight

/ˈkaʊntərˌweɪt/
noun
  1. A weight that balances another weight, as in a machine or system.
    • The old clock's pendulum had a brass counterweight to keep accurate time.
    • The elevator uses a counterweight to make lifting the car more efficient.
    • A counterweight on the crane's arm prevents it from tipping over.
  2. Something that balances or offsets another force, influence, or factor.
    • Her optimism was a perfect counterweight to his tendency to worry.
    • The alliance acted as a counterweight to the power of the larger nation.
    • The new park serves as a counterweight to the city's dense urban development.
verb
  1. To balance or offset with a counterweight.
    • The designer counterweighted the sculpture so it would stand upright.
    • The engineers counterweight the bridge's drawbridge section carefully.
    • They used sandbags to counterweight the hot air balloon basket.
Synonyms
What does "counterweight" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean