: 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 balance
b
: 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 exercise
c
accounting: equality between the totals of the two sides of an account
3
a
: an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements
achieving balance in a work of art
b
grammar: the juxtaposition in writing of syntactically parallel (see parallelentry 1 sense 3c) constructions containing similar or contrasting ideas (such as "to err is human; to forgive, divine")
4
a
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.
b
: weight or force of one side in excess of another
The balance of the evidence lay on the side of the defendant.
Noun 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. Verb 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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The sound of two sneaker soles thwacking a drum fill on the ground as Stubbs tried to regain his balance. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2022 The whisky tends to strike a nice balance between sherry and peat influence—not quite reaching the sherry bomb levels of The Macallan and not as smoky as an Islay scotch like Ardbeg. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2022 Singapore’s government has long sought to strike a balance in the debate over LGBT rights. Feliz Solomon, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022 Adding in warmer tones and natural materials like stone help strike a balance in a living space. Kara Thompson, Good Housekeeping, 31 Aug. 2022 The Twitter spokesperson also said that reports like NCRI's would help Twitter and its external experts to continue reviewing policies to better strike that balance to make improvements this year. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 30 Aug. 2022 As a set of guiding principles backed by advanced cyber asset management, the modernization mindset is a way to strike this balance to keep the transformation on track. Jane Gilson, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Denim in the workplace can be a tricky topic to tackle, but today, the best jeans for work strike a balance of stylishness and sophistication. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2022 The Monarch M5s strike an excellent balance between optical power, quality, and price. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2022
Verb
Galligher suggested that those feeling crisis fatigue seek out positive activities and outlets to balance the negative images. William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 Back in 1979, driving off in a new 450SEL would leave your bank balance $31,000 lighter (about $124,800 in today's greenbacks). Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 4 Sep. 2022 Roomy foldover clutches come in colorful hues that balance their sculptural design; plays on a ‘90s shoulder bag and a bucket silhouette are coated in a range of buttery neutrals with flashes of gold hardware. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Sep. 2022 The Tripod Don't spend hundreds of dollars on a solid camera-and-mic rig and then balance the whole thing on a stack of books. Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 29 Aug. 2022 Each year, North Dakota growers rotate different crops through their fields to help reintroduce and balance nutrients, stave off pests and weeds, and promote overall soil health. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Aug. 2022 Effective leaders continue to emphasize talent strategies that balance offense and defense, and to create places people want to be regardless of circumstance. John M. Bremen, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 But as with any personal lifestyle choice that can result in workplace friction — workers with kids vs. those without, early birds vs. night owls — there are ways to balance the plates. Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 The veto competition is very difficult, as the players have to stack empty takeout containers on trays and balance them on beams. Kyle Fowle, EW.com, 25 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *bilancia, from Late Latin bilanc-, bilanx having two scalepans, from Latin bi- + lanc-, lanx plate