bal·ance (b l  ns)n.1. 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. 2. A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces. 3. The power or means to decide. 4. a. A state of bodily equilibrium: thrown off balance by a gust of wind. b. The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium: Gymnasts must have good balance. 5. A stable mental or psychological state; emotional stability. 6. A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design. See Synonyms at proportion. 7. An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise. 8. The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences. 9. Accounting a. Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account. b. The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side. 10. Something that is left over; a remainder. 11. Chemistry Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of an equation. 12. Mathematics Equality with respect to the net number of reduced symbolic quantities on each side of an equation. 13. A balance wheel. v. bal·anced, bal·anc·ing, bal·anc·es v.tr.1. To determine the weight of (something) in or as if in a weighing device. 2. To compare by or as if by turning over in the mind: balanced the pros and cons before making a choice. 3. To bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium. 4. To act as an equalizing weight or force to; counterbalance. 5. Accounting a. To compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account). b. To reconcile or equalize the sums of the debits and credits of (an account). c. To settle (an account, for example) by paying what is owed. 6. To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony. 7. Mathematics To bring (an equation) into balance. 8. Chemistry To bring (an equation) into balance. 9. To move toward and then away from (a dance partner). v.intr.1. To be in or come into equilibrium. 2. To be equal or equivalent. 3. To sway or waver as if losing or regaining equilibrium. 4. To move toward and then away from a dance partner. Idioms: in the balance In an undetermined and often critical position: Our plans were left hanging in the balance. Resolution of that item is still in the balance. on balance Taking everything into consideration; all in all.
[Middle English balaunce, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *bilancia, having two scale pans, from Latin bil nx : bi-, two; see dwo- in Indo-European roots + lnx, scale.]
balance·a·ble adj. |
balance Noun 1. stability of mind or body: lose one's balance 2. a state of being in balance 3. harmony in the parts of a whole 4. the power to influence or control: the balance of power 5. something that remains: the balance of what you owe 6. Accounting a. the matching of debit and credit totals in an account b. a difference between such totals 7. a weighing device 8. in the balance in an undecided condition 9. on balance after weighing up all the factors Verb [-ancing, -anced] 1. to weigh in or as if in a balance 2. to be or come into equilibrium 3. to bring into or hold in equilibrium 4. to compare the relative weight or importance of 5. to arrange so as to create a state of harmony 6. Accounting to compare or equalize the credit and debit totals of (an account) [Latin bilanx having two scales]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. |  balance - a state of equilibriumequilibrium - a stable situation in which forces cancel one another tension - a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature); "there is a tension created between narrative time and movie time"; "there is a tension between these approaches to understanding history" electrolyte balance - an equilibrium between the amounts of electrolytes (as calcium and sodium and potassium) that is essential for normal health and functioning nitrogen balance - the balance between the amount of nitrogen taken in (to the soil or the body) and the amount given off (lost or excreted) | | 2. | balance - equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an accountequality - the quality of being the same in quantity or measure or value or status trial balance - a balance of debits and credits in double-entry bookkeeping; drawn up to test their equality | | 3. | balance - 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 Ruskinplacement, arrangement - the spatial property of the way in which something is placed; "the arrangement of the furniture"; "the placement of the chairs" | | 4. |  balance - equality of distributionstructure, construction - a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts; "the structure consisted of a series of arches"; "she wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons" conformation - a symmetrical arrangement of the parts of a thing | | 5. | balance - 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"component part, part, portion, component, constituent - something determined in relation to something that includes it; "he wanted to feel a part of something bigger than himself"; "I read a portion of the manuscript"; "the smaller component is hard to reach"; "the animal constituent of plankton" leftover, remnant - a small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists | | 6. | balance - the difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an accountcarry-forward, carry-over - the accumulated and undivided profits of a corporation after provision has been made for dividends and reserves compensating balance, offsetting balance - a minimum credit balance that a bank may require a borrower to keep on deposit as a condition for granting a loan; a common requirement for establishing a line of credit at a bank; "the compensating balance increases the effective interest rate to the bank since the net amount loaned is reduced but the interest paid is unchanged" invisible balance - the difference in value over a period of time of a country's imports and exports of services and payments of property incomes remainder, difference - the number that remains after subtraction; the number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend | | 7. |  Balance - (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Libra | | 8. | Balance - the seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22 | | 9. |  balance - (mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or planeradial symmetry - the property of symmetry about an axis; "the starfish illustrates radial symmetry" math, mathematics, maths - a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement | | 10. | balance - a weight that balances another weighttare - (chemical analysis) a counterweight used in chemical analysis; consists of an empty container that counterbalances the weight of the container holding chemicals weight - an artifact that is heavy | | 11. |  balance - a wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beatwheel - a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines) | | 12. |  balance - a scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravitybeam balance - a balance consisting of a lever with two equal arms and a pan suspended from each arm electronic balance - a balance that generates a current proportional to the displacement of the pan | | Verb | 1. | balance - bring into balance or equilibrium; "She has to balance work and her domestic duties"; "balance the two weights"complement - make complete or perfect; supply what is wanting or form the complement to; "I need some pepper to complement the sweet touch in the soup" match, fit - make correspond or harmonize; "Match my sweater" countervail, offset - compensate for or counterbalance; "offset deposits and withdrawals" balance - be in equilibrium; "He was balancing on one foot" trim - balance in flight by regulating the control surfaces; "trim an airplane" unbalance - throw out of balance or equilibrium; "The tax relief unbalanced the budget"; "The prima donna unbalances the smooth work in our department" | | 2. | balance - compute credits and debits of an account | | 3. | balance - hold or carry in equilibriumcarry, bear, hold - support or hold in a certain manner; "She holds her head high"; "He carried himself upright" juggle - hold with difficulty and balance insecurely; "the player juggled the ball" | | 4. | balance - be in equilibrium; "He was balancing on one foot"be - have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer" |
balance verb 2. offset, match, square, make up for, compensate for, counteract, neutralize, counterbalance, even up, equalize, counterpoise verb 4. Accounting calculate, rate, judge, total, determine, estimate, settle, count, square, reckon, work out, compute, gauge, tally noun 9. composure, stability, restraint, self-control, poise, self-discipline, coolness, calmness, equanimity, self-restraint, steadiness, self-possession, self-mastery, strength of mind or will
A concept as applied to an arms control measure that connotes: a. adjustments of armed forces and armaments in such a manner that one state does not obtain military advantage over other states agreeing to the measure; and b. internal adjustments by one state of its forces in such manner as to enable it to cope with all aspects of remaining threats to its security in a post arms control agreement era.
 Translations balance [ˈbæləns] n → equilibrio;
 balance [ˈbæləns] n → équilibre m; balance of trade/payments → balance commerciale/des comptes or paiements; balance brought forward → solde reporté;
 balance [ˈbæləns] n ( equilibrium) → Gleichgewicht nt; ( pros and cons) → (gegeneinander) abwägen; on balance → alles in allem; balance of trade/payments → Handels-/Zahlungsbilanz f;
 balance [ˈbæləns] n → equilibrio; balance brought forward → saldo riportato;
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