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Definition of balance
1 : an instrument for weighing: such asa : a beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended from its endsb : a device that uses the elasticity of a spiral spring for measuring weight or force
2 : a means of judging or deciding the balance of a free election
3 : a counterbalancing weight, force, or influence The comedic character serves as a balance to the serious subject matter of the play.
4 : an oscillating wheel operating with a hairspring to regulate the movement of a timepiece a watch's balance
5a : 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 balanceb : 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 exercisec accounting : equality between the totals of the two sides of an account
6a : an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements achieving balance in a work of artb grammar : the juxtaposition in writing of syntactically parallel (see 1parallel 3c) constructions containing similar or contrasting ideas (such as “to err is human; to forgive, divine”)
7a : physical equilibrium trouble keeping your balance on a sailboat lost his balance and fell a boxer kept off balance for a whole roundb : the ability to retain one's balance Gymnasts must have a good sense of balance.
8a : weight or force of one side in excess of another The balance of the evidence lay on the side of the defendant.b : something left over : remainder answers will be given in the balance of this chapter — R. W. Murrayc 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.
in the balance
orin balance
on balance
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Examples of balance in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of balance from the Web
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Sitting in a wet bathing suit can upset the pH balance of the vagina and irritate all areas of the vagina.
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The proposal strikes a delicate balance on federal renewable fuel mandates by delivering a modest win to Midwest corn farmers supplying the bulk of traditional ethanol at the expense of companies producing next-generation alternatives.
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The SEC said investors did not have direct information about the performance of the debt because ITT kept the loan programs off its balance sheet.
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The balance between these is the key to the conversation.
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A balance sheet showed total assets of $151, and liabilities for 2016 of $802,000.
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Microgreens added a note of freshness, however, the dish called out for a spritz of acid, perhaps in the form of a balsamic reduction or a light lemon dressing on the greens, to add balance to the plate.
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Michelle Weinberg, June Shivers' LAF attorney, said the remaining balance on the loan is more than $10,000.
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With the future of The Chicago Sun-Times hanging in the balance, a group of investors led by the Chicago businessman Edwin Eisendrath submitted a bid for the newspaper on Monday, setting up a potential battle with the owner of The Chicago Tribune.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'balance'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology 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
balance
Definition of balance
balanced
;balancing
transitive verb
1a (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 accountb (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
2a : counterbalance, offset He served black coffee to help balance out the sweetness of the dessert. balance one consideration against anotherb : to equal or equalize in weight, number, or proportion The good times balanced the bad times.
3 : to weigh in or as if in a balance (see 1balance 1) balance the profit and loss to see what had been gained
4a : to bring to a state or position of balance (see 1balance 5) balanced the scales by adding a little more on one sideb : 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.c : to bring into harmony or proportion I struggled to balance my career and family life. a balanced diet
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 1 balances and temporizes on matters that demand action
Examples of balance in a Sentence
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 of balance from the Web
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While balancing other jobs, Dan and Betty taught at night, trying to combat the negativity of the world with an overwhelmingly good force: circus arts.
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Rather than used straight, fish sauce is often diluted with water and balanced with lime juice, chiles and sugar such as in a Thai or Vietnamese dipping sauce, or added to a marinade or curry.
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Balancing act Despite efforts by hospitals to bring confidential treatment to physicians, many are still asked to divulge such treatment when renewing their license.
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Councilors said their pay raises need to be added and the budget balanced.
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But BART’s gravy train of overtime has dried up, as the transit agency attempts to balance its budget, spokeswoman Alicia Trost said Thursday.
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The herbs and citrus added a fresh, bright note to balance out the richness of the butter.
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Ross was in the driver’s seat and Chris, next to him, had his computer balanced on his lap—they were supposed to write a couple of words to read at the service.
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However, the agency changed its outlook to stable from negative, saying risks are now balanced and growth will likely remain relatively strong.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'balance'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of balance
see 1balance
BALANCE Defined for English Language Learners
balance
playDefinition of balance for English Language Learners
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: the state of having your weight spread equally so that you do not fall
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: the ability to move or to remain in a position without losing control or falling
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: a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance
balance
Definition of balance for English Language Learners
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: to make (something, such as a plate or your body) steady by keeping weight equal on all sides
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: 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
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: to check and make adjustments to financial records so that they are accurate
BALANCE Defined for Kids
Definition of balance for Students
1 : a steady position or condition The gymnast kept her balance.
2 : something left over : remainder He spent the balance of his allowance.
3 : an instrument for weighing
4 : a state in which things occur in equal or proper amounts a balance of work and fun
5 : the amount of money in a bank account
6 : an amount of money still owed
History for 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.”
Definition of balance for Students
balanced
;balancing
1 : to make or keep steady : keep from falling … their slippery … forefeet did not allow them to balance there. — Dick King-Smith, Pigs Might Fly
2 : to make the two sides of (an account) add up to the same total
3 : to be or make equal in weight, number, or amount You must balance your schoolwork and outside activities.
Medical Dictionary
balance
playMedical Definition of balance
1: an instrument for weighing
2: mental and emotional steadiness
3a: 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 balanceb: the maintenance (as in laboratory cultures) of a population at about the same condition and level
Learn More about balance
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for balance Spanish Central: Translation of balance Nglish: Translation of balance for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of balance for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about balance
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