steelyard

American  

[steel-yahrd, stil-yerd] / ˈstilˌjɑrd, ˈstɪl jərd /

noun

1. a portable balance with two unequal arms, the longer one having a movable counterpoise and the shorter one bearing a hook or the like for holding the object to be weighed.

---

steelyard British  

/ ˈstiːlˌjɑːd /

noun

1. a portable balance consisting of a pivoted bar with two unequal arms. The load is suspended from the shorter one and the bar is returned to the horizontal by adding weights to the longer one

---

Etymology

Origin of steelyard

First recorded in 1630–40; steel + yard ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

steelyard

One crane operator in a steelyard was James J. Braddock, world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937, when he lost the crown to Joe Louis.

From New York Times ● Jul. 1, 2014

It was the first substantial improvement in the art of weighing since the Romans developed the graduated steelyard.

From Time Magazine Archive

The steelyard is an invention that is intended to promote honest dealing.

From Sidelights on Chinese Life by J. (John) Macgowan

There the capture was hung upon one of the hooks of the steelyard.

From Three Boys or the Chiefs of the Clan Mackhai by George Manville Fenn

Another form is that of the Roman balance, our steelyard, consisting of a lever or beam, suspended near one of its extremities, on the longer arm of which a counterpoise slides.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Noah Webster