balance beam

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of balance beam

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

On the balance beam, Katelyn Rosen started with a 9.750 and Barros posted a 9.850.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 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

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

Malabuyo represented the Philippines at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is ranked third in the nation on balance beam with a 9.925 average score across the first four meets.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2025

The only bonding our coaches intended on us doing was with the vault table, the uneven bars, the balance beam, and the training floor.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles