imbalance

noun im·bal·ance \ (ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)s \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of imbalance

: lack of balance : the state of being out of equilibrium or out of proportion

a vitamin imbalance

racial imbalance in schools

—

imbalanced

play \(ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)st\ adjective

See imbalance defined for English-language learners

See imbalance defined for kids

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 of imbalance from the Web

The thinking was that unless equal pay laws were applied more forcefully, the imbalance might never close.

— liz alderman, New York Times, "Britain Aims to Close Gender Pay Gap With Transparency and Shame," 4 Apr. 2018
Apparently, thyroid problems, genetics, stress, anemia, hormonal imbalances are all contributing factors.

— janie chen, Teen Vogue, "How Hair Loss at 21 Taught Me To Be Kinder to Myself," 2 Apr. 2018
Because of her fame and her show’s past reputation, Roseanne‘s arrival threatened to create a power imbalance, making her the loudest voice in the room.

— Time, "What Donald Trump Doesn't Understand About Roseanne," 29 Mar. 2018
Medicine ball triceps Muscle imbalances lead to joint injuries.

— Philly.com, "5 easy exercises you can do from your chair," 27 Mar. 2018
While a shortcoming, this imbalance does not torpedo the show.

— laura bleiberg, latimes.com, "How do you link classical Indian dance to American tap? Four women show how," 23 Mar. 2018
Some, expectedly, have been aghast at the scope of basketball’s underbelly, arguing that payments to high-schoolers harm those players while creating a competitive imbalance between schools that can afford to pay up and ones that can’t.

— alex putterman, The Atlantic, "The NCAA Is Facing a Crossroads," 22 Mar. 2018
Holtmann has been pretty adamantly against five-man recruiting classes, which would just create more future roster imbalance.

— bill landis, cleveland.com, "Ohio State basketball is about to feel the brunt of Thad Matta's recruiting losses: 2018-19 roster breakdown," 22 Mar. 2018
This power and economic imbalance gives women who are restaurant workers few options in confronting harassing behavior and leaves them open to exploitation and harassment.

— anne branigin, The Root, "Ex-Employee Files $6 Million Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Harlem Restaurant," 22 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'imbalance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of imbalance

circa 1890

in the meaning defined above

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IMBALANCE Defined for English Language Learners

imbalance

noun

Definition of imbalance for English Language Learners

: a state or condition in which different things do not occur in equal or proper amounts

Medical Dictionary

imbalance

noun im·bal·ance \ (ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s \

medical Definition of imbalance

: 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

play \-ən(t)st\ adjective

Learn More about imbalance

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imbalance

Definition of imbalance

imbalanced

Examples of imbalance in a Sentence

Recent Examples of imbalance from the Web

First Known Use of imbalance

IMBALANCE Defined for English Language Learners

imbalance

Definition of imbalance for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

imbalance

medical Definition of imbalance

imbalanced

Learn More about imbalance

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imbalance

Definition of imbalance

imbalanced

Examples of imbalance in a Sentence

Recent Examples of imbalance from the Web

First Known Use of imbalance

IMBALANCE Defined for English Language Learners

imbalance

Definition of imbalance for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

imbalance

medical Definition of imbalance

imbalanced

Learn More about imbalance

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