balance
noun
bal·ance
| \ ˈba-lən(t)s
\
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Definition of balance
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: physical equilibrium
trouble keeping your balance on a sailboat lost his balance and fell a boxer kept off balance for a whole round
b
: the ability to retain one's balance
Gymnasts must have a good sense of balance.
2a
: stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis
when the two sides of the scale are in balance tipped the statue off balance
b
: equipoise between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements
… the balance we strike between security and freedom.— Earl Warren Both parties were interviewed to provide balance in the report. the right balance of diet and exercise
c
accounting
: equality between the totals of the two sides of an account
3a
: an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements
achieving balance in a work of art
b
grammar
: the juxtaposition in writing of syntactically parallel (see parallel entry 1 sense 3c) constructions containing similar or contrasting ideas (such as "to err is human; to forgive, divine")
4a
accounting
: an amount in excess especially on the credit side of an account
has a comfortable balance in the bank You must maintain a minimum balance of $1000 in your account to avoid fees.
b
: weight or force of one side in excess of another
The balance of the evidence lay on the side of the defendant.
c
: something left over : remainder
answers will be given in the balance of this chapter— R. W. Murray
5
: mental and emotional steadiness
I doubt that Thoreau would be thrown off balance by the fantastic sights and sounds of the 20th century.— E. B. White
6
: an instrument for weighing: such as
a
: a beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended from its ends
b
: a device that uses the elasticity of a spiral spring for measuring weight or force
7
: a means of judging or deciding
the balance of a free election
8
: a counterbalancing weight, force, or influence
The comedic character serves as a balance to the serious subject matter of the play.
9
: an oscillating wheel operating with a hairspring to regulate the movement of a timepiece
a watch's balance
in the balance
or in balance
on balance
: with the fate or outcome about to be determined
our future hangs in the balance as we await his decision
: with all things considered
the meeting went well on balance
balance
verb
balanced;
balancing
Definition of balance (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: to poise or arrange in or as if in balance
balancing a book on her head The legislature hasn't balanced the budget in years.
b
: to bring into harmony or proportion
I struggled to balance my career and family life. a balanced diet
c
: to bring to a state or position of balance (see balance entry 1 sense 2)
balanced the scales by adding a little more on one side
2a(1)
accounting
: to compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account)
balancing a company's books
(2)
: to pay the amount due on : settle
sent a check to balance her account
b(1)
: to arrange so that one set of elements exactly equals another
balance a mathematical equation
(2)
chemistry
: to complete (a chemical equation) so that the same number of atoms and electric charges of each kind appears on each side
3a
: counterbalance, offset
He served black coffee to help balance out the sweetness of the dessert. balance one consideration against another
b
: to equal or equalize in weight, number, or proportion
The good times balanced the bad times.
4
: to weigh in or as if in a balance (see balance entry 1 sense 6)
balance the profit and loss to see what had been gained
1
: to become balanced or established in balance
Try balancing on one foot. The good times and bad times balanced out.
2
: to be an equal counterbalance
—often used with out His speed will likely balance out his competitor's greater strength.The discount and the shipping charge balance each other out.
3
: waver sense 1
balances and temporizes on matters that demand action
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Other Words from balance
Noun
balanced
\ ˈba-lən(t)st
\
adjective
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adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms for balance
Synonyms: Noun
counterpoise, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, poise, stasis
Synonyms: Verb
Antonyms: Noun
disequilibration, disequilibrium, imbalance, nonequilibrium, unbalance
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Examples of balance in a Sentence
Noun
She had trouble keeping her balance as the boat rocked back and forth. The skater suddenly lost his balance and fell. Another skater bumped into him and knocked him off balance. Gymnasts need flexibility and balance. She has a good sense of balance. To provide balance in her news story, she interviewed members of both political parties. Temperature changes could upset the delicate balance of life in the forest. To lose weight you need the proper balance of diet and exercise. The food had a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors. It's important to keep your life in balance.Verb
I find it difficult to balance on one foot. He had trouble balancing on his skis. He helped his daughter balance on her bicycle before she started peddling. The legislature is still trying to balance the state's budget. He balances his checkbook every month. Something's wrong: the books don't balance.