equilibrium
[ ee-kwuh-lib-ree-uhm, ek-wuh- ]
/ ˌi kwəˈlɪb ri əm, ˌɛk wə- /
noun, plural e·qui·lib·ri·ums, e·qui·lib·ri·a [ee-kwuh-lib-ree-uh, ek-wuh-] /ˌi kwəˈlɪb ri ə, ˌɛk wə-/.
a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces.
equal balance between any powers, influences, etc.; equality of effect.
mental or emotional balance; equanimity: The pressures of the situation caused her to lose her equilibrium.
Chemistry.
the condition existing when a chemical reaction and its reverse reaction proceed at equal rates.
Origin of equilibrium
SYNONYMS FOR equilibrium
OTHER WORDS FROM equilibrium
e·quil·i·bra·to·ry [ih-kwil-uh-bruh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, ee-kwuh-lib-ruh-, ek-wuh-] /ɪˈkwɪl ə brəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˌi kwəˈlɪb rə-, ˌɛk wə-/, adjective non·e·qui·lib·ri·um, nounWords nearby equilibrium
Example sentences from the Web for equilibrium
British Dictionary definitions for equilibrium
equilibrium
/ (ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbrɪəm) /
noun plural -riums or -ria (-rɪə)
Word Origin for equilibrium
C17: from Latin
aequilībrium, from
aequi-
equi- +
lībra pound, balance
Medical definitions for equilibrium
equilibrium
[ ē′kwə-lĭb′rē-əm, ĕk′wə- ]
n.
A condition in which all influences acting upon it are canceled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system.
The state of a chemical reaction in which its forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates so that the concentration of the reactants and products does not change with time.
dynamic equilibrium
Mental or emotional balance.
Scientific definitions for equilibrium
equilibrium
[ ē′kwə-lĭb′rē-əm ]
Plural equilibriums equilibria
Physics
The state of a body or physical system that is at rest or in constant and unchanging motion. A system that is in equilibrium shows no tendency to alter over time.♦ If a system is in static equilibrium, there are no net forces and no net torque in the system.♦ If a system is in stable equilibrium, small disturbances to the system cause only a temporary change before it returns to its original state.
Chemistry
The state of a reversible chemical reaction in which its forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates so that the concentration of the reactants and products remains the same.
Cultural definitions for equilibrium (1 of 2)
equilibrium
In economics, a state of the economy in which for every commodity or service (including labor), total supply and demand are exactly equal. Equilibrium is never actually attained; it is approximated by movements of the market.
notes for equilibrium
Keynesian economics departed from conventional economic
theory in demonstrating that economic equilibrium and
full employment need not occur together. Therefore, as a system tends toward equilibrium, it might not eliminate unemployment.
Cultural definitions for equilibrium (2 of 2)
equilibrium
A condition in which all influences acting cancel each other, so that a static or balanced situation results. In physics, equilibrium results from the cancellation of forces acting on an object. In chemistry, it occurs when chemical reactions are proceeding in such a way that the amount of each substance in a system remains the same. (See chemical equilibrium.)