1 equilibria | Definition of equilibria
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equilibrium

noun
equi路​lib路​ri路​um | \ 藢膿-kw蓹-藞li-br膿-蓹m How to pronounce equilibrium (audio) , 藢e-\
plural equilibriums or equilibria\ 藢膿-​kw蓹-​藞li-​br膿-​蓹 How to pronounce equilibria (audio) , 藢e-​ \

Definition of equilibrium

1a : a state of intellectual or emotional balance : poise trying to recover his equilibrium
b : a state of adjustment between opposing or divergent influences or elements
2 : a state of balance between opposing forces or actions that is either static (as in a body acted on by forces whose resultant is zero) or dynamic (as in a reversible chemical reaction when the rates of reaction in both directions are equal)
3 : balance sense 3a
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about equilibrium

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Did You Know?

Equilibrium contains a root from the Latin libra, meaning "weight" or "balance". As a constellation, zodiac symbol, and astrological sign, Libra is usually pictured as a set of balance scales, often held by the blindfolded goddess of justice, which symbolizes fairness, equality, and justice. Equilibrium has special meanings in biology, chemistry, physics, and economics, but in all of them it refers to the balance of competing influences.

Examples of equilibrium in a Sentence

Supply and demand were in equilibrium. we must find an equilibrium between commercial development and conservation of our natural treasures

Recent Examples on the Web

 In fact, early versions of the game featured a much darker opening sequence, which was eventually changed to reach that equilibrium. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, "How the creators of Sea of Solitude turned fear and anxiety into monsters," 13 Aug. 2019 Once coffee, cup and air reach thermal equilibrium, no more energy flows between them, and no further change occurs. — Wired, "Fractal Patterns Offer Clues to the Universe's Origin," 11 Aug. 2019 Once coffee, cup and air reach thermal equilibrium, no more energy flows between them, and no further change occurs. — Quanta Magazine, "The Universal Law That Aims Time鈥檚 Arrow," 1 Aug. 2019 The minority species is not killed off, and the two reach a stable equilibrium of numbers with the minority species remaining a minority but hanging on quite nicely. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Starving predators survive together, but maybe only in math-land," 27 July 2019 Of course cuts help, but another reason to be optimistic about supply and demand reaching equilibrium may simply be the fact that prices have collapsed. — Spencer Jakab, WSJ, "Oil Market Will Help OPEC Do Its Job," 11 Dec. 2018 Passive equilibrium, avoiding hard-fought harmony, was part of the Indian-American dream. — Abhijith Ravinutala, chicagotribune.com, "2019 Algren Awards: Finalist: Definition(s)," 20 July 2019 Blanchard says the lake soon will reach a point of equilibrium when snowmelt slows and the rate of evaporation increases. — Washington Post, "Snowmelt pushes Lake Tahoe water level close to legal limit," 19 July 2019 In non-team, mutli-player games, this kind of Nash equilibrium often doesn't exist or is too difficult to calculate. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, "A New A.I. Is Running the Table Against Poker Pros. Is Business Strategy Next?," 11 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'equilibrium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of equilibrium

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for equilibrium

Latin aequilibrium, from aequilibris being in equilibrium, from aequi- + libra weight, balance

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More Definitions for equilibrium

equilibrium

noun
How to pronounce equilibrium (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of equilibrium

: a state in which opposing forces or actions are balanced so that one is not stronger or greater than the other
: a state of emotional balance or calmness

See the full definition for equilibrium in the English Language Learners Dictionary

equilibrium

noun
equi路​lib路​ri路​um | \ 藢膿-kw蓹-藞li-br膿-蓹m How to pronounce equilibrium (audio) , 藢e-kw蓹-\

Kids Definition of equilibrium

1 : a state of balance between opposing forces or actions
2 : the normal balanced state of the body that is maintained by the inner ear and that keeps a person or animal from falling

equilibrium

noun
equi路​lib路​ri路​um | \ 藢膿-kw蓹-藞lib-r膿-蓹m How to pronounce equilibrium (audio) , 藢ek-w蓹- How to pronounce equilibrium (audio) \
plural equilibriums or equilibria\ -​r膿-​蓹 How to pronounce equilibria (audio) \

Medical Definition of equilibrium

1 : a state of balance between opposing forces or actions that is either static (as in a body acted on by forces whose resultant is zero) or dynamic (as in a reversible chemical reaction when the velocities in both directions are equal)
2 : a state of intellectual or emotional balance

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More from Merriam-Webster on equilibrium

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for equilibrium

Spanish Central: Translation of equilibrium

Nglish: Translation of equilibrium for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of equilibrium for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about equilibrium

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