balanced

[bal-uhnst]

adjective

1. fairly or equally containing a diversity of views, aspects, ingredients, activities, etc..

   The course provides a balanced program of study in painting, design, sculpture, and ceramics.

   Some newspapers provided more balanced coverage of the conflict.

2. being in harmonious or proper arrangement or adjustment, proportion, etc..

   These guidelines will help beginning photographers achieve a balanced composition in each shot.

   Synonyms: evenhanded, impartial, just, equitable, fair

3. (of a budget) showing enough revenue or income to cover all expenses.

   Our newly formed Finance Council will promote a balanced budget and long-range financial planning.

4. (of an investment portfolio) including investments of a variety of types or in a variety of sectors so as to maximize returns with a manageable level of risk.

   Stocks can help you achieve a balanced portfolio when combined with fixed-income investments such as bonds.

5. Football.,  pertaining to or noting an offensive line formation having three linemen on each side of the center.

balanced

/ ˈbælənst /

adjective

1. having weight evenly distributed; being in a state of equilibrium

2. (of a person) mentally and emotionally stable

3. (of a discussion, programme, etc) presenting opposing points of view fairly and without bias

4. (of a diet) consisting of all essential nutrients in suitable form and amounts to maintain health

5. (of a budget) having expenditure no greater than income

6. electronics (of signals or circuitry) symmetrically disposed about earth or other reference potential

7. (of a chemical equation) having the correct relative number of moles of reactants and products

Other Word Forms

• self-balanced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of balanced¹

First recorded in 1585–95; balance + -ed ²

Example Sentences

The strongest evidence for maintaining long-term health still points to the basics: eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, avoiding smoking, and managing stress -- all of which support telomere health naturally.

Read more on Science Daily

Instead, he says, environmental stressors such as whether or not you have a balanced diet; whether you smoke or drink alcohol; oral health and the amount of exercise you get play the biggest role.

Read more on BBC

This was Commissioner Rob Manfred at the owners’ meetings last February: “Do people perceive that the playing field is balanced and fair and/or do people believe that money dictates who wins?”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mike Pence, he grew disillusioned with members of his party who claimed to care about balanced budgets and spending cuts yet voted to approve bills loaded with pork-barrel spending and corporate giveaways.

Read more on Salon

Many processed items, especially those based on plants, are beneficial parts of a balanced diet.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• equitable 
• fair