balance beam

noun

1. 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.

2. a competitive gymnastic event for women in which such an apparatus is used.

Word History and Origins

Origin of balance beam¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Oklahoma scored a 49.615 on balance beam, an event in which it is ranked No. 1 nationally.

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The Bruins needed their best on balance beam to advance to nationals, entering the final rotation just .250 ahead of Denver.

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The gymnastics will be at Crypto.com Arena, a place where Kobe once climbed on a scorer’s table as if it was a balance beam.

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“Unfortunately i was selected for the olympics,” she wrote below a video of her balance beam fall on Monday.

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Simone Biles' 'redemption tour' continued and the American superstar reminded fans she is not invincible during the women’s balance beam final.

Read more on BBC