definitions

equilibrium

[ ee-kwuh-lib-ree-uhm, ek-wuh- ]
/ ˌi kwəˈlɪb ri əm, ˌɛk wə- /
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noun, plural e·qui·lib·ri·ums, e·qui·lib·ri·a [ee-kwuh-lib-ree-uh, ek-wuh-] /ˌi kwəˈlɪb ri ə, ˌɛk wə-/.

a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces.
equal balance between any powers, influences, etc.; equality of effect.
mental or emotional balance; equanimity: The pressures of the situation caused her to lose her equilibrium.
Chemistry. the condition existing when a chemical reaction and its reverse reaction proceed at equal rates.

RELATED WORDS

stability, symmetry, calmness, serenity, composure, counterpoise, equanimity, coolness, stasis, poise, rest, steadiness, calm, counterbalance, polish, equipoise, cool

Nearby words

equilateralism, equilibrant, equilibrate, equilibration, equilibrist, equilibrium, equilibrium dialysis, equilibrium price, equilibrium valve, equilibrium, chemical, equimolecular

Origin of equilibrium

1600–10; < Latin aequilībrium, equivalent to aequi- equi- + lībr(a) balance + -ium -ium
Related formse·quil·i·bra·to·ry [ih-kwil-uh-bruh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, ee-kwuh-lib-ruh-, ek-wuh-] /ɪˈkwɪl ə brəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˌi kwəˈlɪb rə-, ˌɛk wə-/, adjectivenon·e·qui·lib·ri·um, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for equilibrium

British Dictionary definitions for equilibrium

equilibrium

/ (ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbrɪəm) /

noun plural -riums or -ria (-rɪə)

Word Origin for equilibrium

C17: from Latin aequilībrium, from aequi- equi- + lībra pound, balance
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for equilibrium

equilibrium

n.

c.1600, from Latin aequilibrium, from aequus "equal" (see equal) + libra "a balance, scale, plummet" (see Libra).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for equilibrium

equilibrium

[ ē′kwə-lĭb′rē-əm, ĕk′wə- ]

n.

A condition in which all influences acting upon it are canceled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system.
The state of a chemical reaction in which its forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates so that the concentration of the reactants and products does not change with time.dynamic equilibrium
Mental or emotional balance.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for equilibrium

equilibrium

[ ē′kwə-lĭb′rē-əm ]

Plural equilibriums equilibria

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.♦ If a system is in static equilibrium, there are no net forces and no net torque in the system.♦ If a system is in stable equilibrium, small disturbances to the system cause only a temporary change before it returns to its original state.
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Culture definitions for equilibrium (1 of 2)

equilibrium

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.

Note

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.

Culture definitions for equilibrium (2 of 2)

equilibrium

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.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.