Here's a breakdown:

* Weight: This is the force of gravity acting on the airplane's mass, pulling it downwards.

* Lift: This is the upward force generated by the wings, created by the difference in air pressure above and below the wings. This pressure difference is generated by the shape of the wings and the way air flows over them.

For an airplane to fly, the lift force must be greater than or equal to the weight force. This is how the airplane overcomes gravity and stays in the air.

Other forces also play a role in flight:

* Thrust: This is the forward force generated by the engines, propelling the airplane through the air.

* Drag: This is the force that resists the airplane's motion through the air, acting in the opposite direction of thrust.

While lift is the force directly counteracting weight, all four forces (lift, weight, thrust, and drag) are involved in the complex dynamics of flight.