timbang

Timbang is a term in Malay and Indonesian that refers to weight or the act of weighing. It functions as a verb meaning to weigh and, in compounds, as a noun describing a measuring instrument or the measurement itself. The related noun timbangan designates a scale or balance used to determine mass. In everyday usage, phrases such as "timbang badan" or "timbangan berat" are common.

Weighing relies on comparing an object's mass to known standards under the influence of gravity. The result is expressed in units of mass, typically grams or kilograms, depending on the context. Instruments used for weighing range from traditional beam balances to modern electronic scales. Beam balances compare an unknown mass with calibrated weights on opposite pans; spring scales measure weight by the deflection of a spring; electronic scales use sensors to produce digital readouts.

Timbangan devices come in several forms, including timbangan gantung (hanging scales), timbangan lantai (floor scales), timbangan meja (benchtop scales), and portable pocket scales. In retail and commerce, timbangan is essential for fair pricing, with legal metrology standards governing accuracy and periodic calibration. Calibration against traceable reference weights ensures consistent results.

In summary, timbang encompasses both the concept of weight and the devices that quantify it, reflecting the central role of measurement in commerce, science, and daily life.