This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
balance
[ bal-uhns ]
/ ˈbæl əns /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
verb (used with object), bal·anced, bal·anc·ing.
verb (used without object), bal·anced, bal·anc·ing.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Idioms about 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
OTHER WORDS FROM balance
bal·ance·a·ble, adjectiveWords nearby balance
Balak, Balakirev, Balaklava, Balakovo, balalaika, balance, balance beam, balance bridge, balance control, balanced, balanced diet
Other definitions for balance (2 of 2)
balancé
[ bal-uhn-sey; French ba-lahn-sey ]
/ ˌbæl ənˈseɪ; French ba lɑ̃ˈseɪ /
noun, plural bal·an·cés [bal-uhn-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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use balance in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for balance (1 of 2)
balance
/ (ˈbæləns) /
noun
verb
Derived forms of balance
balanceable, adjectiveWord 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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for balance
balance
[ băl′əns ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with balance
balance
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.