Balance Definition

balance

English

Alternative forms

• balaunce

Etymology

From Middle French balance, from Late Latin *bilancia, from (accusative form of) Latin bilanx (“two-scaled”), from bi- + lanx (“plate, scale”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈbaləns/
• (US) IPA: /ˈbæləns/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

balance (countable and uncountable; plural balances)

1. (uncountable) a state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium
2. (uncountable) mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed
3. something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium (literally or figuratively); counterweight

   These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah

   Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.

4. a pair of scales
5. (uncountable) awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity
6. (uncountable) the overall result of conflicting forces, opinions etc.; the influence which ultimately "weighs" more than others

   The balance of power finally lay with the Royalist forces.

   I think the balance of opinion is that we should get out while we're ahead.

7. (uncountable) apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.)
8. (accounting) a list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
9. (accounting) the result of such a procedure; the difference between credit and debit of an account.

   I just need to nip to a bank and check my balance.

10. (watchmaking) a device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
11. (obsolete, astrology) Libra

Synonyms

• (scales): pair of scales, scales, weighing machine, weighbridge (for vehicles)
• (equilibrium): equilibrium
• (support for both viewpoints): disinterest, even-handedness, fairness, impartiality, neutrality, non-partisanship
• (list of credits and debits): account

Antonyms

• (equilibrium): non-equilibrium, imbalance, unbalance
• (support for both viewpoints): bias, favor/favour, partiality, partisanship, prejudice, unfairness

Derived terms

Verb

balance (third-person singular simple present balances, present participle balancing, simple past and past participle balanced)

1. (transitive) to make (items) weigh up.
2. (transitive) (figurative) to make (concepts) agree.
3. (transitive) to hold (an object or objects) precariously.
4. (transitive) to make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.
5. (intransitive) to be in equilibrium.
6. (intransitive) to have matching credits and debits.

Derived terms

• balanced
• balance out
• balance the books

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

French

Etymology

From Late Latin *bilancia, from Latin bilanx, from bi- (see Latin bis) and lanx.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /balɑ̃s/

• audio

  (file)

Noun

balance f. (plural balances)

1. scales
2. (chemistry, physics) balance
3. (economics, electricity, politics) balance
4. (fishing) drop-net
5. (slang) informant, snitch

Verb

balance

1. first-person singular present indicative of balancer
2. third-person singular present indicative of balancer
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of balancer
4. first-person singular present subjunctive of balancer
5. second-person singular imperative of balancer

Related terms

• balancer
• balançoire

Anagrams

• bancale

Spanish

Noun

balance m. (plural balances)

1. (accounting) balance

Related 'Balance' Searches:

See Also:

• Definition of Balance