Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

imbalance

noun im·bal·ance \ (ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)s \
|Updated on: 15 Aug 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

  1. Her depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

  2. the problem of racial imbalance in schools

Recent Examples of imbalance from the Web

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

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

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

  1. See words that rhyme with imbalance Spanish Central: Translation of imbalance Nglish: Translation of imbalance for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of imbalance for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up imbalance? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

volatile

play

subject to rapid or unexpected change

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

imbalance

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games