balance beam
Americannoun
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balance beams
plural
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a narrow wooden rail about 16 feet (5 meters) long and 4 inches (10 centimeters) wide, set horizontally on upright posts about 4 feet (1.2 meters) from the floor, used for performing feats of balancing and demonstrating gymnastic ability.
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a competitive gymnastic event for women in which such an apparatus is used.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of balance beam
First recorded in 1945–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One skipped along the balance beam like Simone Biles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
After sustaining a foot injury on her balance beam routine during a quad meet on Feb. 27 against Maryland, Ohio State and Iowa, Katelyn Rosen was sidelined for the rest of the competition.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2026
During the first three years of her college career, Alipio was known as a balance beam expert.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2026
On the balance beam, Katelyn Rosen started with a 9.750 and Barros posted a 9.850.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 2026
“He’s always hungry,” Lark says, walking a fallen log like a balance beam.
From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers
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