equipoise

American  

[ee-kwuh-poiz, ek-wuh-] / ˈi kwəˌpɔɪz, ˈɛk wə- /

noun

1. an equal distribution of weight; even balance; equilibrium.

2. a counterpoise.

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verb (used with object)

equipoised, equipoising

1. to equal or offset in weight; balance.

equipoise British  

/ ˈɛkwɪˌpɔɪz /

noun

1. even balance of weight or other forces; equilibrium

2. a counterbalance; counterpoise

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verb

1. (tr) to offset or balance in weight or force; balance

Etymology

Origin of equipoise

First recorded in 1625–35; equi- + poise ¹

Explanation

Looking for a really fancy way to say "balance" or "equilibrium"? Then stand up straight and try equipoise on for size. When broken down into its etymological parts, equipoise is simply equi, meaning "equal," plus "poise." Equal poise: a balance of weight, forces or interests. So tight-rope walkers have excellent equipoise, as do balance beam gymnasts. And when the U.S. Senate is made up of half Republicans, half Democrats? There should be some equipoise of power, but that usually just leads to stalemate.

Example Sentences

As Sam Sacks writes of this posthumously published collection of short stories, “Segal never loses her equipoise, or her sense of humor, in these most extreme confrontations with mortality.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

I hoped that during the next decade, the pendulum would swing back from 9/11 overreach and regain some semblance of equipoise.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2025

This equipoise held for four very productive years, but there comes a moment in all love stories when one partner gets fidgety and starts to pull away.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2025

In medicine, when there is genuine uncertainty as to whether the benefits of a treatment outweigh the harms - called equipoise - some ethicists argue there's a moral obligation to scientifically study such treatments.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2024

Certainly much of Katherine’s equipoise came from her father, Joshua.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly