balance beam

noun

1

: a narrow wooden beam supported in a horizontal position approximately four feet above the floor and used for balancing feats in gymnastics

2

: an event in gymnastics competition in which the balance beam is used

Examples of balance beam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And as another disappointing season nears its conclusion, one featuring 38 different starting lineups for Charlotte, the Hornets are tiptoeing on a balance beam, teetering on the brink of putting themselves in the best position possible to get a game-changer. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2025

The middle column is like being on a balance beam; knowing whether your lean is one side or another - deficient or excess - is essential for development. —Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

The score was the first perfect score on balance beam in Michigan State program history. —Caroline Price, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

The Bruins rank No. 2 on floor exercise, No. 3 on balance beam, No. 7 on vault, and No. 9 on uneven bars nationally and are led by star Jordan Chiles, who is No. 1 in the country in floor. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for balance beam

• seriatim
• abeam
• airstream
• bloodstream
• daydream
• downstream
• esteem
• extreme
• grapheme
• hakim
• hornbeam
• lexeme

Kids Definition

balance beam

noun

: a narrow wooden beam supported in a horizontal position above the floor and used for balancing feats in gymnastics