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

Economies are less dependent on oil, for one thing, and they have more shock absorbers to cushion the blow.

From MarketWatch

“The U.S. economy is fairly resilient. It has a lot of shock absorbers,” Oxford’s Sweet said.

From MarketWatch

“The primary holders of spare capacity — Saudi Arabia and the UAE — have been cut off from global oil markets, effectively eliminating the industry’s traditional shock absorber,” Rapidan said of the Iran conflict.

From MarketWatch

To be sure, the U.S. has more shock absorbers this time around.

From The Wall Street Journal

Savers accept lower returns to own risk-free Treasury debt because it usually acts as a shock absorber.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• suspension system