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¹balance

noun bal·ance \ˈba-lən(t)s\

: the state of having your weight spread equally so that you do not fall

: the ability to move or to remain in a position without losing control or falling

: a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance

Full Definition of BALANCE

: an instrument for weighing: 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

: a means of judging or deciding

: a counterbalancing weight, force, or influence

: an oscillating wheel operating with a hairspring to regulate the movement of a timepiece

a : stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis

b : equipoise between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements

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

a : an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements

b : the juxtaposition in writing of syntactically parallel constructions containing similar or contrasting ideas

a : physical equilibrium

b : the ability to retain one's balance

a : weight or force of one side in excess of another

b : something left over : remainder

c : an amount in excess especially on the credit side of an account

: mental and emotional steadiness

— bal·anced \-lən(t)st\ adjective

— 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>

See balance defined for English-language learners

See balance defined for kids

Origin of BALANCE

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: 13th century

Related to BALANCE

Synonyms: counterpoise, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, poise, stasis

Antonyms: disequilibration, disequilibrium, imbalance, nonequilibrium, unbalance

²balance

verb

: to make (something, such as a plate or your body) steady by keeping weight equal on all sides

: to adjust (an account or budget) so that the amount of money available is more than or equal to the amount of money that has been spent

: to check and make adjustments to financial records so that they are accurate

bal·ancedbal·anc·ing

Full Definition of BALANCE

transitive verb

a (1) : to compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account) (2) : to pay the amount due on : settle

b (1) : to arrange so that one set of elements exactly equals another <balance a mathematical equation> (2) : to complete (a chemical equation) so that the same number of atoms and electric charges of each kind appears on each side

a : counterbalance, offset

b : to equal or equalize in weight, number, or proportion

: to weigh in or as if in a balance

a : to bring to a state or position of equipoise

b : to poise in or as if in balance

c : to bring into harmony or proportion

intransitive verb

: to become balanced or established in balance

: to be an equal counterpoise

: waver 1 <balances and temporizes on matters that demand action>

See balance defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of BALANCE

1588

Related to BALANCE

Synonyms: equalize, equate, even, level

Antonyms: dive (in), plunge (in)

BALANCE Defined for Kids

¹balance

noun bal·ance \ˈba-ləns\

Definition of BALANCE for Kids

: a steady position or condition <The gymnast kept her balance.>

: something left over : remainder <He spent the balance of his allowance.>

: an instrument for weighing

: a state in which things occur in equal or proper amounts <a balance of work and fun>

: the amount of money in a bank account

: an amount of money still owed

Word History of BALANCE

The first meaning of the word balance was “an instrument used to weigh things.” Some weighing instruments have two small pans on either side, into which equal amounts must be placed to keep the beam that holds the pans from tipping. The English word balance came from a Latin word that meant literally “having two pans.” This Latin word, bilanx, is a compound of bi-, “two,” and lanx, “dish, pan of a pair of scales.”

²balance

verb

bal·ancedbal·anc·ing

Definition of BALANCE for Kids

: to make or keep steady : keep from falling <… their slippery … forefeet did not allow them to balance there. — Dick King-Smith, Pigs Might Fly>

: to make the two sides of (an account) add up to the same total

: to be or make equal in weight, number, or amount <You must balance your schoolwork and outside activities.>

Medical Dictionary

balance

noun bal·ance \ˈbal-ən(t)s\

Medical Definition of BALANCE

: an instrument for weighing

: mental and emotional steadiness

a : the relation in physiology between the intake of a particular nutrient and its excretion—used with positive when the nutrient is in excess of the bodily metabolic requirement and with negative when dietary inadequacy and withdrawal of bodily reserves is present; see nitrogen balance, water balance b : the maintenance (as in laboratory cultures) of a population at about the same condition and level