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

Human experts — global health strategists, international NGOs, and community representatives — may shape these insights into fair response strategies acknowledging power imbalances, language barriers, and historical inequities between countries. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

While the exact causes of IBS are not fully understood, factors like gut microbiota imbalances, immune dysfunction, and genetics likely play a role. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 15 Dec. 2024

Now these two allies are wildly over-stretched elsewhere, the imbalance that kept Assad and his ruling Alawite minority at the helm is also gone. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024

And based on this year's results, that imbalance doesn't appear to be narrowing, particularly as female candidates within the Republican Party face persistent structural and cultural barriers to running and winning. —Meredith Conroy, ABC News, 4 Dec. 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