shock absorber

American  

noun

Machinery.

• shock absorbers
  plural

1. a device for damping sudden and rapid motion, as the recoil of a spring-mounted object from shock.

---

shock absorber British  

noun

1. any device designed to absorb mechanical shock, esp one fitted to a motor vehicle to damp the recoil of the suspension springs

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• shock absorbers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of shock absorber

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shock absorber

Earlier, Boutcher said that the stalemate meant the police had "once again become the shock absorber of our society".

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

The crude-oil market’s surprise shock absorber was China, which dramatically cut its imports.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

Efficient freight rail acts as a foundational shock absorber for national supply chains and a shield protecting the global competitiveness of our exporters.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026

Still, it has become a shock absorber in some key markets, sustaining trade and helping contain global inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026

The rear wheel shock absorber was loose too.

From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary

Related Words

• suspension system