Weighable

Weighable is an adjective describing an object or quantity whose mass can be determined by weighing. In practical terms, a weighable item is one that can be placed on a scale to obtain a measurable mass, typically expressed in standard units such as grams or kilograms. The term is common in logistics, commerce, and laboratory settings to distinguish items for which a mass measurement is meaningful from those whose mass is not readily measurable or well-defined.

Etymology and usage: Weighable is formed from the verb weigh plus the suffix -able, indicating capability. It is more frequent in technical writing than in everyday speech; common phrases include weighable goods, weighable quantities, or weighable samples.

Measurement considerations: Weighability can be influenced by scale precision and calibration, as well as buoyancy effects in air. For very small masses, high-precision balances are required, and for certain liquids, apparent mass can depend on temperature and density of the surrounding medium. In shipping and inventory, tare weights and packaging must be accounted for to determine the net weighable mass.

See also: weighing, mass, weight, measurement, scale.