equilibrium

American  

[ee-kwuh-lib-ree-uhm, ek-wuh-] / ˌi kwəˈlɪb ri əm, ˌɛk wə- /

noun

plural

equilibriums, equilibria

1. a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces.

   Synonyms:

   stability, steadiness, equipoise

2. equal balance between any powers, influences, etc.; equality of effect.

3. mental or emotional balance; equanimity.

   The pressures of the situation caused her to lose her equilibrium.

4. Chemistry. the condition existing when a chemical reaction and its reverse reaction proceed at equal rates.

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equilibrium British  

/ ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbrɪəm /

noun

1. a stable condition in which forces cancel one another

2. a state or feeling of mental balance; composure

3. any unchanging condition or state of a body, system, etc, resulting from the balance or cancelling out of the influences or processes to which it is subjected See thermodynamic equilibrium

4. physics a state of rest or uniform motion in which there is no resultant force on a body

5. chem the condition existing when a chemical reaction and its reverse reaction take place at equal rates

6. physics the condition of a system that has its total energy distributed among its component parts in the statistically most probable manner

7. physiol a state of bodily balance, maintained primarily by special receptors in the inner ear

8. the economic condition in which there is neither excess demand nor excess supply in a market

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equilibrium Scientific  

/ ē′kwə-lĭb′rē-əm /

plural

equilibriums

1. Physics The state of a body or physical system that is at rest or in constant and unchanging motion. A system that is in equilibrium shows no tendency to alter over time.

2. Physics ◆ If a system is in static equilibrium, there are no net forces and no net torque in the system.

3. Physics ◆ If a system is in stable equilibrium, small disturbances to the system cause only a temporary change before it returns to its original state.

4. Chemistry The state of a reversible chemical reaction in which its forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates so that the concentration of the reactants and products remains the same.

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equilibrium ¹ Cultural  

1. A condition in which all influences acting cancel each other, so that a static or balanced situation results. In physics, equilibrium results from the cancellation of forces acting on an object. In chemistry, it occurs when chemical reactions are proceeding in such a way that the amount of each substance in a system remains the same. (See chemical equilibrium.)

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equilibrium ² Cultural  

1. In economics, a state of the economy in which for every commodity or service (including labor), total supply and demand are exactly equal. Equilibrium is never actually attained; it is approximated by movements of the market.

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Discover More

Keynesian economics departed from conventional economic theory in demonstrating that economic equilibrium and full employment need not occur together. Therefore, as a system tends toward equilibrium, it might not eliminate unemployment.

Other Word Forms

• equilibratory adjective
• nonequilibrium noun

Etymology

Origin of equilibrium

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin aequilībrium, from aequi- equi- + lībr(a) “balance” + -ium -ium

Explanation

Equilibrium is a state of balance. If you play sports so much that you don't have time for your studies, you need to study more and play less, until sports and studying reach a point of equilibrium. Or become a professional athlete. The word equilibrium is commonly used to refer to mental or emotional balance, and a near synonym in this sense is composure. In chemistry, equilibrium is the condition existing when a chemical reaction and its reverse reaction occur at equal rates. This noun is from Latin aequilībrium, from the prefix aequi-, "equal" plus lībra, "a balance, scale."

Example Sentences

In fact, the latest estimate of the nominal equilibrium rate implied by their model is just over 3.75%—at the top of the current target range for the federal funds rate.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

"Human activities are increasingly disrupting the natural equilibrium and we will live with these consequences for hundreds and thousands of years," said Prof Celeste Saulo, secretary general of the WMO.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

This higher price equilibrium reflects lingering concerns among some analysts that the Strait of Hormuz will need to be fully opened for oil prices to fall back to levels seen before the Iran war began.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

The system tries to reach equilibrium but cannot fully do so because of the structure it occupies.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

She needed Pilate’s calm view, her honesty and equilibrium.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• calmness
• composure
• serenity
• stability
• symmetry