balance

[ bal-uhns ]
/ ˈbæl əns /

noun

verb (used with object), bal·anced, bal·anc·ing.

verb (used without object), bal·anced, bal·anc·ing.

Idioms for balance

    in the balance, with the outcome in doubt or suspense: While the jury deliberated, his fate rested in the balance.
    on balance, considering all aspects: On balance, the new product is doing well.

Origin of balance

1250–1300; Middle English balaunce < Anglo-French; Old French balance < Vulgar Latin *balancia, variant of *bilancia, equivalent to Late Latin bilanc- (stem of bilanx with double scales; Latin bi- bi-1 + lanx metal dish, pan of a pair of scales) + -ia -ia

OTHER WORDS FROM balance

bal·ance·a·ble, adjective

Definition for balance (2 of 2)

balancé
[ bal-uh n-sey; French ba-lahn-sey ]
/ ˌbæl ənˈseɪ; French ba lɑ̃ˈseɪ /

noun, plural bal·an·cés [bal-uh n-seyz; French ba-lahn-sey] /ˌbæl ənˈseɪz; French ba lɑ̃ˈseɪ/. Ballet.

a swaying step performed in place in which the weight is lightly shifted from one foot to the other, the dancer sinking down on the heel of the foot to which the body is shifting, with flexed knees.

Origin of balancé

< French, noun use of past participle of balancer to balance, swing, rock

Example sentences from the Web for balance

British Dictionary definitions for balance (1 of 2)

balance
/ (ˈbæləns) /

noun

verb

Derived forms of balance

balanceable, adjective

Word Origin for balance

C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin bilancia (unattested), from Late Latin bilanx having two scalepans, from bi- 1 + lanx scale

British Dictionary definitions for balance (2 of 2)

Balance
/ (ˈbæləns) /

noun

the Balance the constellation Libra, the seventh sign of the zodiac

Medical definitions for balance

balance
[ băləns ]

n.

A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless.
A state of bodily equilibrium.
The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences, such as for bodily parts or organs.
Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of a chemical equation.

Scientific definitions for balance

balance
[ băləns ]

To adjust a chemical equation so that the number of each type of atom and the total charge on the reactant (left-hand) side of the equation matches the number and charge on the product (right-hand) side of the equation.

Idioms and Phrases with balance

balance