A counterweight is a counterbalancing weight which balances a load, and makes lifting the load more efficient. The purpose of counterweights is to distrubute weight around a fulcrum. They are commonly used in elevators and cranes.

A counterweight is a weight that provides balance and stability to a mechanical system by applying an opposite force. The purpose of a counterweight is to make lifting a load faster and more efficient, which saves energy and reduces wear and tear on the lifting machine.