shock absorber

American  

noun

Machinery.

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

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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

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Etymology

Origin of shock absorber

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Cash flow was significantly stronger than expected, due to lower investments, but this only acts as a partial shock absorber to the negative results, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal

The bottom line on bonds for most of Jay Spector’s clients, meanwhile, is that they are an investment vehicle, not a “shock absorber.”

From MarketWatch

“We don’t have quite the shock absorber that we used to have,” Croft said in an interview.

From Barron's

Potholes can cause damage to shock absorbers and suspension springs, and can also distort wheels.

From BBC

Lennar previously said it was using its margin as a “shock absorber” in a tough market before adjusting its strategy earlier this year.

From Barron's

Related Words

• suspension system