balance sheet

American  

noun

Accounting.

1. a tabular statement of both sides of a set of accounts in which the debit and credit balances add up as equal.

2. a statement of the financial position of a business on a specified date.

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balance sheet British  

noun

1. a statement that shows the financial position of a business enterprise at a specified date by listing the asset balances and the claims on such assets

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balance sheet Cultural  

1. An orderly account of the assets of a company or individual and of the financial claims on those assets by others.

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Etymology

Origin of balance sheet

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

The company has a strong balance sheet with net debt of about $2 billion relative to total assets of almost $40 billion.

From Barron's

Oh—and not only will there will be no dividend in 2026, but the company sold €5 billion in convertible debt to shore up its balance sheet.

From Barron's

Telus in December paused growing its dividend and moved to scale back its discounted dividend-reinvestment plans as part of efforts to bolster its balance sheet.

From The Wall Street Journal

On the balance sheet, home of assets and liabilities, the four companies added nearly $117 billion in debt and lease liabilities in 2025.

From Barron's

Current economic stability, strong bank balance sheets, and easing inflation position the economy to endure market corrections.

From Barron's