weighing scale

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable

   A device used to measure how heavy something is.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a weighing scale' or 'weighing scales' for the device.

   Patterns

   • a weighing scale
   • on a weighing scale
   • weighing scales

   The nurse put the baby on the weighing scale.

   I use a kitchen weighing scale to measure flour.

   The luggage was too heavy for the airline's weighing scale.

Word forms

Common combinations

digital weighing scale

A digital weighing scale gives a quick reading.

kitchen weighing scale

She bought a new kitchen weighing scale.

weighing scale accuracy

The weighing scale accuracy is important in labs.

on a weighing scale

He placed the package on a weighing scale.

Synonyms and how they differ

scale

Scale is the common short form, especially in American English; weighing scale is more explicit and often used in British English.

balance

A balance usually has two pans and compares masses; a weighing scale often gives a direct weight reading.

Word family

weigh verb

To measure how heavy something is.

weight noun

How heavy something is.

Commonly confused: weighing scale or weight bridge?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “weighing scale”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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