Definition Definition

balance - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'balance' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Balance [ n.]
- An apparatus for weighing.
- Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
- Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
- The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.
- 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 wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).
- The constellation Libra.
- The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September.
- A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. i., S.
- To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.
- 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.
- To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.
- To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
- To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them.
- 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.
- 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.
- To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.
- To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.
2 . Balance [ v. i.]
- To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.
- To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate.
- To move toward a person or couple, and then back.

Meaning of 'balance' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . balance [ n]
Meaning (1):
- something left after other parts have been taken away
Example in sentence:
  • he threw away the rest;
  • he took what he wanted and I got the balance;
  • there was no remainder
Meaning (2):
- harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design)
Example in sentence:
  • in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance
3 . balance [ v]
Meaning (3):
- bring into balance or equilibrium
Example in sentence:
  • balance the two weights;
  • She has to balance work and her domestic duties
Meaning (4):
- be in equilibrium
Example in sentence:
  • He was balancing on one foot