imbalance

noun

im·​bal·​ance (ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)s 

plural imbalances

: lack of balance : the state of being out of equilibrium or out of proportion

a structural imbalance

a chemical imbalance in the brain

"… The talks are aimed at reducing the trade imbalance … between the world`s two largest economic powers. …"

—Norah O'Donnell

A key element of the definition of bullying is a power imbalance that enables the abusive behavior.

—Patricia Vowinkel

Some have suffered an imbalance of gait known as ataxia.

—Lawrence K. Altman

imbalanced

(ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)st 

adjective

Examples of imbalance in a Sentence

Her depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

the problem of racial imbalance in schools

Recent Examples on the Web

Helium is kept in pressurized tanks, and any leak can lower the system's pressure, risking an imbalance in fuel delivery to the engines, which could cause unstable combustion or even an engine shutdown. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Dak Prescott, who just shattered NFL records with a new contract extension, is playing like a bottom-half quarterback thanks to the imbalance. —Jesse Reed, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

City officials need to fix the structural imbalance and start budgeting for ongoing maintenance to avoid future taxes like this one. —Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024

An imbalance of cholesterol, blood sugar, and triglycerides primarily causes metabolic syndrome.4 In a small study, participants who ingested jujube powder saw improvements in their HDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides in participants. —Johna Burdeos, Health, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

imbalance

noun

im·​bal·​ance (ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s 

: the state of being out of balance or out of proportion

Medical Definition

imbalance

noun

im·​bal·​ance (ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s 

: lack of balance : the state of being out of equilibrium or out of proportion: as

a

: loss of parallel relation between the optical axes of the eyes caused by faulty action of the extrinsic muscles and often resulting in diplopia

b

: absence of biological equilibrium

a vitamin imbalance

if the ductus arteriosus fails to close, a circulatory imbalance results

—E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu

c

: a disproportion between the number of males and females in a population

imbalanced

-ən(t)st 

adjective