weighbridge: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very LowTechnical / Industrial
Quick answer
What does “weighbridge” mean?
A heavy-duty scale, set into the ground, for weighing vehicles and their loads.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A heavy-duty scale, set into the ground, for weighing vehicles and their loads.
A platform scale installed at industrial sites, waste facilities, farms, and ports to determine the total weight of a vehicle. The resulting measurement is crucial for legal compliance in road transport, calculating payloads, and commercial transactions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English uses 'weighbridge' almost exclusively. American English prefers 'truck scale', 'platform scale', or simply 'scale' in an industrial context.
Connotations
In the UK, it has a clear, specific technical meaning. In the US, 'weighbridge' is rare and may sound British or archaic.
Frequency
Common in UK technical and regulatory contexts; very rare in US everyday language.
Grammar
How to Use “weighbridge” in a Sentence
The lorry was [verb, e.g., driven, positioned] on the weighbridge.The weighbridge [verb, e.g., showed, registered] a weight of 18 tonnes.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “weighbridge” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The weighbridge data was crucial.
- A weighbridge certificate is required.
American English
- Truck scale data was crucial.
- A scale ticket is required.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in logistics, haulage, waste management, and quarrying for invoicing and compliance.
Academic
Appears in engineering, logistics, and environmental management texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation outside relevant industries.
Technical
The standard term in UK manuals, regulations (e.g., DVSA), and industry documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “weighbridge”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “weighbridge”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “weighbridge”
- Misspelling as 'weightbridge'. (It's 'weigh', not 'weight').
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to weighbridge the truck' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'weighbridge' is the physical scale. A 'weigh station' (US) or 'weighbridge site' (UK) is the location or facility housing the scale, often with offices and inspection bays.
No. A weighbridge is specifically designed for heavy vehicles like lorries, wagons, or large industrial plant. For small items, terms like 'scale', 'balance', or 'weighing machine' are used.
Its primary purposes are to ensure vehicles are not illegally overloaded (for road safety), to determine the net weight of cargo for buying/selling (e.g., scrap, grain, aggregates), and for logistical planning.
Historically, the scale mechanism was often installed in a pit, with the weighing platform forming a bridge-like structure over it for the vehicle to drive onto. The term emphasizes the physical structure, not just the measuring function.
A heavy-duty scale, set into the ground, for weighing vehicles and their loads.
Weighbridge is usually technical / industrial in register.
Weighbridge: in British English it is pronounced /ˈweɪbrɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈweɪˌbrɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BRIDGE you DRIVE onto to WEIGH your vehicle. A WEIGH-BRIDGE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRIDGE AS A MEASURING DEVICE (The structure one crosses provides critical data).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'weighbridge'?