balance beam

American  

noun

balance beams plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• balance beams
  plural

Etymology

Origin of balance beam

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

balance beam

Jordis Eichman has made the most of her limited opportunities, averaging 9.805 on the balance beam and 9.750 on vault.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2026

During the third rotation, the Bruins moved to the balance beam, an event they struggled with during their third place finish in Utah last week.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 17, 2026

The team’s dismounts were nearly perfect against Nebraska, especially on the balance beam.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 17, 2026

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

Yu Jian stood by the parallel bars, discussing something with Yang Fan and Yin Lan-lan, who were sitting on the balance beam.

From "Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution" by Ji-li Jiang