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balance

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The definition of balance is the amount of something left over after additions and subtractions have been made.

(noun)

An example of balance is the money owed on taxes after all income has been calculated and deductions have been figured.

Balance is defined as being able to remain upright and walk gracefully, or a state of equality, an emotionally and mentally stable mind or the presentation of both sides of an issue.

(noun)

An example of balance is being able to walk on a tight rope.
An example of balance is when a person divides his time evenly between work, family, and personal pleasure.
An example of balance is a person who doesn’t get upset very often and doesn’t let the little things bother them.
An example of balance is a paper that presents information both in favor of and against abortion or the death penalty.

Balance means to make something even in weight, size, or amount or to arrange something to make it appear pleasing.

(verb)

An example of balance is when a person places two objects of the same size on a scale.
An example of balance is making a flower arrangement have similar sizes and colors so that no particular piece sticks out or looks out of place.

See balance in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an instrument for weighing, esp. one that opposes equal weights, as in two matched shallow pans hanging from either end of a lever supported exactly in the middle; scales
the imaginary scales of fortune or fate, as an emblem of justice or the power to decide
the power or ability to decide
a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equality in amount, weight, value, or importance, as between two things or the parts of a thing
bodily equilibrium or stability: he kept his balance on the tightrope
mental or emotional stability
1. the pleasing harmony of various elements in a design, painting, musical composition, etc.; harmonious proportion
2. a setting of clauses, phrases, ideas, etc. in parallel constructions for rhetorical effect
a weight, force, effect, etc. that counteracts another or causes equilibrium; counterpoise
the point along an object's length at which there is equilibrium
in full balance point
1. equality of debits and credits in an account
2. the excess of credits over debits or of debits over credits
the amount still owed after a partial settlement
☆ whatever is left over; remainder
the act of balancing
balance wheel

Origin: ME & OFr, prob. via ML < VL *bilancia < LL bilanx, having two scales < L bis, twice + lanx, a dish, scale < IE *elek-, extended stem of base *el-, to bend > elbow

transitive verb balanced, balancing

to weigh in or as in a balance
to compare as to relative importance, value, etc.
to counterpoise or counteract; make up for; offset
to bring into or keep in a state of equilibrium or equipoise; keep steady; poise: to balance oneself on stilts
to bring into proportion, harmony, etc.
to make or be proportionate to; make or be equal to in weight, force, effect, etc.
1. to find any difference that may exist between the debit and credit sides of (an account); also, to equalize the debit and credit sides of (an account)
2. to settle (an account) by paying debts
Dancing to move toward and then back from (a partner)

intransitive verb

to be in equilibrium
to be equal in value, weight, etc.
to have the credit and debit sides equal to each other
to waver slightly; tilt and return to equilibrium
Dancing to balance partners

Related Forms:

balanceable adjective

See balance in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

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.
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.
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
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.
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.

verb bal·anced, bal·anc·ing, bal·anc·es

verb, transitive

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
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.
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).