balance beam
Americannoun
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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.
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.
Former Pac-12 rivals Utah battled rare-shaky performances on balance beam — including a fall from All-American Grace McCallum — while Missouri never threatened second place, only recording five 9.9 or higher scores during the meet.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2025
Oklahoma scored a 49.615 on balance beam, an event in which it is ranked No. 1 nationally.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2025
During the rotation, Campbell paced near the balance beam, receiving pep talks from assistant coach Lacy Dagen as she awaited Rosen’s score.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2025
Riggs: I’m open with folks that I am constantly walking on this narrow balance beam.
From Slate • Oct. 2, 2024
Aimee was waiting for me over by the balance beam.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
