balance

1 of 2

noun

bal·​ance ˈba-lən(t)s 

1

a

: 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.

2

a

: 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

3

a

: 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")

4

a

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

balance

2 of 2

verb

balanced; balancing

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

2

a(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

3

a

: 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

intransitive verb

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

Phrases

in the balance or in balance

: with the fate or outcome about to be determined

our future hangs in the balance as we await his decision

on balance

: with all things considered

the meeting went well on balance

Synonyms

Noun

• counterpoise
• equilibration
• equilibrium
• equipoise
• poise
• stasis

Verb

• equalize
• equate
• even
• level

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The company has convertible notes payable and notes payable in default, with a total balance of $1,041,172 and $1,090,298, respectively. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024

Cocktails are typically about balance: sweet and tart, bitter and sweet, strong and weak. —Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

Verb

Eisner balances those personal reflections with one of Zimbardo’s final interviews, a telling one that anchors the final episode. —Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

Add a bit of Sichuan pepper oil to spicy dressings or sauces, or drizzle over stir-fries, stews, and salads just before serving to balance the heat. —Megan Zhang, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *bilancia, from Late Latin bilanc-, bilanx having two scalepans, from Latin bi- + lanc-, lanx plate

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a(1)

Phrases Containing balance

• balance a/the budget
• balance beam
• balance of payments
• balance of power
• balance of trade
• balance out
• balance sheet
• balance wheel
• lose one's balance
• nitrogen balance
• platform balance
• redress the balance
• shift/tip/tilt the balance of power
• strike a balance
• swing the balance
• the balance
• tip the balance
• trial balance
• water balance

Kids Definition

balance

1 of 2 noun

bal·​ance ˈbal-ən(t)s 

1

: an instrument used for measuring mass or weight

2

: a counterbalancing weight, force, or influence

3

: a vibrating wheel operating with a hairspring to regulate the mechanical motions of a timepiece

4

: a condition in which opposing forces are equal to each other

5

: equality between the totals of the two sides of an account

6

: an orderly and artistic arrangement of elements that is pleasing : harmony

7

a

: something left over : remainder

b

: the amount by which one side of an account is greater than the other

a balance of $10 on the credit side

8

: mental and emotional steadiness

9

: the maintenance (as in a natural habitat) of a population in about the same condition and numbers

balance

2 of 2 verb

balanced; balancing

1

: to figure out the difference between the debits and credits of an account

balanced her checkbook

2

a

: to arrange so that one set of elements exactly equals another

balance an equation

b

: to complete (a chemical equation) so that the same number of atoms and electric charges of each kind appears on each side

3

a

: counterbalance entry 2, offset

b

: to equal or make equal in weight, number, or proportion

balanced the powers of the three branches of government

4

: to weigh against one another : compare

5

: to bring or come to a state or position of balance

balancer noun

Medical Definition

balance

noun

bal·​ance ˈbal-ən(t)s 

1

: an instrument for weighing

2

: mental and emotional steadiness

3

a

: the relation in physiology between the intake of a particular substance and its excretion

—used with positive when the intake of a substance is greater than the body's excretion of it and with negative when the intake of a substance is less than the body's excretion of it see nitrogen balance, water balance

b

: the maintenance (as in laboratory cultures) of a population at about the same condition and level