Balance definition | Dictionary.com

Synonyms

counterpoise, equilibrium, aplomb, composure, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-possession, harmony, symmetry, leftover, remainder

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Balance - 12 dictionary results

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bal⋅ance

[bal-uh

ns]

noun, verb, -anced, -anc⋅ing.

–noun

1.	a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.

2.	something used to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.

3.	mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc.

4.	a state of bodily equilibrium: He lost his balance and fell down the stairs.

5.	an instrument for determining weight, typically by the equilibrium of a bar with a fulcrum at the center, from each end of which is suspended a scale or pan, one holding an object of known weight, and the other holding the object to be weighed.

6.	the remainder or rest: He carried what he could and left the balance for his brother to bring.

7.	the power or ability to decide an outcome by throwing one's strength, influence, support, or the like, to one side or the other.

8.	(in winemaking) the degree to which all the attributes of a wine are in harmony, with none either too prominent or deficient.

Accounting.

a.	equality between the totals of the two sides of an account.

b.	the difference between the debit total and the credit total of an account.

c.	unpaid difference represented by the excess of debits over credits.

10.	an adjustment of accounts.

11.	the act of balancing; comparison as to weight, amount, importance, etc.; estimate.

12.	preponderating weight: The balance of the blame is on your side.

13.	Fine Arts. composition or placement of elements of design, as figures, forms, or colors, in such a manner as to produce an aesthetically pleasing or harmoniously integrated whole.

14.	Dance. a balancing movement.

15.	Also called balance wheel. Horology. a wheel that oscillates against the tension of a hairspring to regulate the beats of a watch or clock.

16.	(initial capital letter) Astronomy, Astrology. the constellation or sign of Libra; Scales.

17.	Audio. (in a stereophonic sound system) the comparative loudness of two speakers, usually set by a control (balance control) on the amplifier or receiver.

–verb (used with object)

18.	to bring to or hold in equilibrium; poise: to balance a book on one's head.

19.	to arrange, adjust, or proportion the parts of symmetrically.

20.	to be equal or proportionate to: I'm always happy when cash on hand balances expected expenses. One side of an equation must balance the other.

21.

Accounting.

a.	to add up the two sides of (an account) and determine the difference.

b.	to make the necessary entries in (an account) so that the sums of the two sides will be equal.

c.	to settle by paying what remains due on an account; equalize or adjust.

22.	to weigh in a balance.

23.	to estimate the relative weight or importance of; compare: to balance all the probabilities of a situation.

24.	to serve as a counterpoise to; counterbalance; offset: The advantages more than balance the disadvantages.

25.	Dance. to move in rhythm to and from: to balance one's partner.

–verb (used without object)

26.	to have an equality or equivalence in weight, parts, etc.; be in equilibrium: The account doesn't balance. Do these scales balance?

27.	Accounting. to reckon or adjust accounts.

28.	to waver or hesitate: He would balance and temporize endlessly before reaching a decision.

29.	Dance. to move forward and backward or in opposite directions.

—Idioms

30.	in the balance, with the outcome in doubt or suspense: While the jury deliberated, his fate rested in the balance.

31.	on balance, considering all aspects: On balance, the new product is doing well.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME balaunce < AF; OF balance < VL *balancia, var. of *bilancia, equiv. to LL bilanc- (s. of bilanx with double scales; L bi- bi- ¹ + lanx metal dish, pan of a pair of scales) + -ia -ia

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Language Translation for : Balance

Spanish:

balanza,

German:

die Waage,

Japanese:

天秤

View 30 other languages »

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bal⋅an⋅cé

[bal-uh

n-sey; Fr. ba-lahn-sey]

–noun, plural -cés [-seyz; Fr. -sey]

. Ballet.

a swaying step performed in place in which the weight is lightly shifted from one foot to the other, the dancer sinking down on the heel of the foot to which the body is shifting, with flexed knees.

Origin:
< F, n. use of ptp. of balancer to balance, swing, rock

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source

bal·ance (bāl'əns) Pronunciation Key
n.

A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless.
A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.
The power or means to decide.
1. A state of bodily equilibrium: thrown off balance by a gust of wind.
2. The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium: Gymnasts must have good balance.
3. Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.
4. The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.
A stable mental or psychological state; emotional stability.
A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design. See Synonyms at proportion.
An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences.
Accounting
1. Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.
2. The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.
Something that is left over; a remainder.
Chemistry Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of an equation.
Mathematics Equality with respect to the net number of reduced symbolic quantities on each side of an equation.
A balance wheel.

v. bal·anced, bal·anc·ing, bal·anc·es

v. tr.

To determine the weight of (something) in or as if in a weighing device.
To compare by or as if by turning over in the mind: balanced the pros and cons before making a choice.
To bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium.
To act as an equalizing weight or force to; counterbalance.
Accounting
1. To compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account).
2. To reconcile or equalize the sums of the debits and credits of (an account).
3. To settle (an account, for example) by paying what is owed.
To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony.
Mathematics To bring (an equation) into balance.
Chemistry To bring (an equation) into balance.
To move toward and then away from (a dance partner).

v. intr.

To be in or come into equilibrium.
To be equal or equivalent.
To sway or waver as if losing or regaining equilibrium.
To move toward and then away from a dance partner.

[Middle English balaunce, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *bilancia, having two scale pans, from Latin bilānx : bi-, two; see dwo- in Indo-European roots + lānx, scale.]

bal'ance·a·ble adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Bal·ance (bāl'əns) Pronunciation Key
n. See Libra.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Li·bra (lē'brə, lī'-) Pronunciation Key
n.

A constellation in the Southern Hemisphere near Scorpius and Virgo. Also called Balance, Scales.
1. The seventh sign of the zodiac in astrology. Also called Balance, Scales.
2. One who is born under this sign.

[Middle English, from Latin Lībra, from lībra, balance, the constellation Libra.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

balance

c.1275, "apparatus for weighing," from O.Fr. balance, from M.L. bilancia, from L.L. bilanx (acc. bilancem), from L. (libra) bilanx "(scale) having two pans," possibly from L. bis "twice" + lanx "a dish, scale." The accounting sense is from 1588; the meaning "general harmony between parts" is from 1732; sense of "physical equipoise" is from 1667. The verb is attested from 1579. Balance of power in the geopolitical sense is from 1701; balanced meal, diet, etc. is from 1908.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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balance
noun
1.	a state of equilibrium [ant: imbalance]
2.	equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
3.	harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design); "in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance"- John Ruskin [syn: proportion]
4.	equality of distribution
5.	something left after other parts have been taken away; "there was no remainder"; "he threw away the rest"; "he took what he wanted and I got the balance" [syn: remainder]
6.	the difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
7.	(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Libra [syn: Libra]
8.	the seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22 [syn: Libra]
9.	(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane [syn: symmetry] [ant: asymmetry]
10.	a weight that balances another weight [syn: counterweight]
11.	a wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat [syn: balance wheel]
12.	a scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravity
verb
1.	bring into balance or equilibrium; "She has to balance work and her domestic duties"; "balance the two weights" [ant: unbalance]
2.	compute credits and debits of an account
3.	hold or carry in equilibrium [syn: poise]
4.	be in equilibrium; "He was balancing on one foot"

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Cite This Source

balance

In addition to the idiom beginning with balance, also see checks and balances; hang in the balance; off balance; on balance; redress the balance; strike a balance; tip the balance.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source

balance (bāl'əns) Pronunciation Key
To adjust a chemical equation so that the number of each type of atom and the total charge on the reactant (left-hand) side of the equation matches the number and charge on the product (right-hand) side of the equation.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Balance

Bal"ance\, n. [OE. balaunce, F. balance, fr. L. bilan?, bilancis, having two scales; bis twice (akin to E. two) + lanx plate, scale.]

1. An apparatus for weighing.

Note: In its simplest form, a balance consists of a beam or lever supported exactly in the middle, having two scales or basins of equal weight suspended from its extremities. Another form is that of the Roman balance, our steelyard, consisting of a lever or beam, suspended near one of its extremities, on the longer arm of which a counterpoise slides. The name is also given to other forms of apparatus for weighing bodies, as to the combinations of levers making up platform scales; and even to devices for weighing by the elasticity of a spring.

2. Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.

A fair balance of the advantages on either side. --Atterbury.

3. Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.

4. The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.

And hung a bottle on each side To make his balance true. --Cowper.

The order and balance of the country were destroyed. --Buckle.

English workmen completely lose their balance. --J. S. Mill.

5. An equality between the sums total of the two sides of an account; as, to bring one's accounts to a balance; -- also, the excess on either side; as, the balance of an account. " A balance at the banker's. " --Thackeray.

I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text. --J. Peile.

6. (Horol.) A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).

7. (Astron.) (a) The constellation Libra. (b) The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September.

8. A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. i., S.

Balance electrometer, a kind of balance, with a poised beam, which indicates, by weights suspended from one arm, the mutual attraction of oppositely electrified surfaces. --Knight.

Balance fish. (Zo["o]l) See Hammerhead.

Balance knife, a carving or table knife the handle of which overbalances the blade, and so keeps it from contact with the table.

Balance of power. (Politics), such an adjustment of power among sovereign states that no one state is in a position to interfere with the independence of the others; international equilibrium; also, the ability ( of a state or a third party within a state) to control the relations between sovereign states or between dominant parties in a state.

Balance sheet (Bookkeeping), a paper showing the balances of the open accounts of a business, the debit and credit balances footing up equally, if the system of accounts be complete and the balances correctly taken.

Balance thermometer, a thermometer mounted as a balance so that the movement of the mercurial column changes the indication of the tube. With the aid of electrical or mechanical devices adapted to it, it is used for the automatic regulation of the temperature of rooms warmed artificially, and as a fire alarm.

Balance of torsion. See Torsion Balance.

Balance of trade (Pol. Econ.), an equilibrium between the money values of the exports and imports of a country; or more commonly, the amount required on one side or the other to make such an equilibrium.

Balance valve, a valve whose surfaces are so arranged that the fluid pressure tending to seat, and that tending to unseat the valve, are nearly in equilibrium; esp., a puppet valve which is made to operate easily by the admission of steam to both sides. See Puppet valve.

Hydrostatic balance. See under Hydrostatic.

To lay in balance, to put up as a pledge or security. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

To strike a balance, to find out the difference between the debit and credit sides of an account.

Balance

Bal"ance\, n. [OE. balaunce, F. balance, fr. L. bilan?, bilancis, having two scales; bis twice (akin to E. two) + lanx plate, scale.]

1. An apparatus for weighing.

2. Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.

A fair balance of the advantages on either side. --Atterbury.

3. Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.

4. The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.

And hung a bottle on each side To make his balance true. --Cowper.

The order and balance of the country were destroyed. --Buckle.

English workmen completely lose their balance. --J. S. Mill.

I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text. --J. Peile.

6. (Horol.) A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).

7. (Astron.) (a) The constellation Libra. (b) The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September.

8. A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. i., S.

Balance electrometer, a kind of balance, with a poised beam, which indicates, by weights suspended from one arm, the mutual attraction of oppositely electrified surfaces. --Knight.

Balance fish. (Zo["o]l) See Hammerhead.

Balance knife, a carving or table knife the handle of which overbalances the blade, and so keeps it from contact with the table.

Balance of torsion. See Torsion Balance.

Hydrostatic balance. See under Hydrostatic.

To lay in balance, to put up as a pledge or security. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

To strike a balance, to find out the difference between the debit and credit sides of an account.

Balance

Bal"ance\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Balanced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Balancing (?).] [From Balance, n.: cf. F. balancer. ]

1. To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.

2. To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling; as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance one's self on a tight rope.

3. To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.

One expression . . . must check and balance another. --Kent.

4. To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.

Balance the good and evil of things. --L'Estrange.

5. To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them.

I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker. --Addison.

6. To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account equal; -- said of an item; as, this payment, or credit, balances the account.

7. To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as, to balance a set of books.

8. (Dancing) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.

9. (Naut.) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.

Balanced valve. See Balance valve, under Balance, n.

Syn: To poise; weigh; adjust; counteract; neutralize; equalize.

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