Definition of Deadweight
Deadweight
dead·weight


Definition/Meaning
(noun)
the weight of someone or something that is unresponsive or inert and therefore offering no assistance in lifting themself/itself;

e.g. He struggled to stand upright with the deadweight of the tent's fabric on his shoulders.

(noun)
the total weight carried by a ship, including its equipment, supplies, cargo and loads, and all people on board;

e.g. These storage cartons are adding deadweight to the ship and will make it struggle to stay afloat.

(noun)
the weight that is constantly carried by some structure such as a bridge, including the weights of its parts, any permanent fixtures of it, and the structures it supports;

e.g. Using lightweight materials when constructing a bridge reduces its deadweight but also makes it less strong.



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