counterbalance Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a weight that balances another weight
    counterpoise; equalizer; counterweight; equaliser; balance.
  2. noun equality of distribution
    balance; equipoise; equilibrium.
  3. noun a compensating equivalent
    offset.
  4. verb adjust for
    even off; make up; compensate; even out; even up; correct.
    • engineers will work to correct the effects or air resistance
  5. verb contrast with equal weight or force
    oppose.
  6. verb oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions
    counteract; countervail; neutralize.
    • This will counteract the foolish actions of my colleagues

WordNet

Coun`ter*bal"ance transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Counterbalanced present participle & verbal noun Counterbalancing
Definitions
  1. To oppose with an equal weight or power; to counteract the power or effect of; to countervail; to equiponderate; to balance.
    The remaining air was not able to counterbalance the mercurial cylinder. Boyle.
    The cstudy of mind is necessary to counterbalance and correct the influence of the study of nature. Sir W. Hamilton.
Coun"ter*bal`ance noun
Definitions
  1. A weight, power, or agency, acting against or balancing another; as: (a) A mass of metal in one side of a driving wheel or fly wheel, to balance the weight of a crank pin, etc., on the opposite side of the wheel. (b) A counterpoise to balance the weight of anything, as of a drawbridge or a scale beam.
    Money is the counterbalance to all other things purchasable by it. Locke.

Webster 1913