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.
During the first three years of her college career, Alipio was known as a balance beam expert.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026
Moving over to the balance beam, the Bruins struggled at the start, with Matthews falling and Sumanasekera wobbling.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2026
In exhibition routines, Rosen scored 9.8 or higher in balance beam, uneven bars and floor exercise.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 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
In the end, I won four medals at Worlds—two gold for all-around and floor, silver for vault, and bronze for 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.
