equilibrium definition | Dictionary.com

e⋅qui⋅lib⋅ri⋅um

[ee-kwuh-lib-ree-uh

m, ek-wuh-]

–noun, plural -ri⋅ums, -ri⋅a [-ree-uh]

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

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.

Origin:
1600–10; < L aequilībrium, equiv. to aequi- equi- + lībr(a) balance + -ium -ium

Related forms:

e⋅quil⋅i⋅bra⋅to⋅ry [i-kwil-uh-bruh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, ee-kwuh-lib-ruh-, ek-wuh-]

, adjective

Synonyms:
1. equipoise, steadiness, stability.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To equilibrium

e·qui·lib·ri·um (ē'kwə-lĭb'rē-əm, ěk'wə-)

n. pl. e·qui·lib·ri·ums or e·qui·lib·ri·a (-rē-ə)

A condition in which all acting influences are canceled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system.
Mental or emotional balance; poise.
Physics The state of a body or physical system at rest or in unaccelerated motion in which the resultant of all forces acting on it is zero and the sum of all torques about any axis is zero.
Chemistry 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.

[Latin aequilībrium : aequi-, equi- + lībra, balance.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Equilibrium

E`qui*lib"ri*um\, n.; pl. E. Equilibriums, L. Equilibria. [L. aequilibrium, fr. aequilibris in equilibrium, level; aequus equal + libra balance. See Equal, and Librate.]

1. Equality of weight or force; an equipoise or a state of rest produced by the mutual counteraction of two or more forces.

2. A level position; a just poise or balance in respect to an object, so that it remains firm; equipoise; as, to preserve the equilibrium of the body.

Health consists in the equilibrium between those two powers. --Arbuthnot.

3. A balancing of the mind between motives or reasons, with consequent indecision and doubt.

Equilibrium valve (Steam Engine), a balanced valve. See under Valve.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : equilibrium

Spanish: equilibrio,

German: das Gleichgewicht,

Japanese: 均衡

More Translations »

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.

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 American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

equilibrium

1608, from L. æquilibrium, from æquus "equal" + libra "a balance, scale, plummet," of uncertain origin.

Equilibrium

The state in which market supply and demand balance each other and, as a result, prices become stable.

Investopedia Commentary

The equilibrium price is the price at which the supply of goods matches demand.

Related Links

Economics Basics Tutorial

See also: Demand, Economics, Orderly Market, Supply

Main Entry: equi·lib·ri·um
Pronunciation: "E-kw&-'lib-rE-&m, "ek-w&-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural equi·lib·ri·ums or equi·lib·ria /-rE-&/
1 : a state of balance between opposing forces or actions that iseither static (as in a body acted on by forces whose resultant is zero) or dynamic (as in a reversible chemical reaction when the velocities in both directions are equal)
2 : astate of intellectual or emotional balance

equilibrium e·qui·lib·ri·um (ē'kwə-lĭb'rē-əm, ěk'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. Also called dynamic equilibrium.
Mental or emotional balance.

equilibrium (ē'kwə-lĭb'rē-əm) Pronunciation Key
Plural equilibriums or 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.

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