Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense balances, present participle balancing, past tense, past participle balanced
1. verb
If you balance something somewhere, or if it balances there, it remains steady and does not fall.
I balanced on the ledge. [VERB preposition/adverb]
He balanced a football on his head. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: stabilize, support, level, steady More Synonyms of balance
2. uncountable noun
Balance is the ability to remain steady when you are standing up.
The medicines you are currently taking could be affecting your balance.
Synonyms: equilibrium, stability, steadiness, evenness More Synonyms of balance
3. verb
If you balance one thing with something different, each of the things has the same strength or importance.
Balance spicy dishes with mild ones. [VERB noun + with]
The state has got to find some way to balance these two needs. [VERB noun]
Supply and demand on the currency market will generally balance. [VERB]
Synonyms: offset, match, square, make up for More Synonyms of balance
balancedadjective [usually adverb ADJECTIVE]
This book is a well balanced biography.
4. singular noun
A balance is a situation in which all the different parts are equal in strength or importance.
Their marriage is a delicate balance between traditional and contemporary values. [+ between]
There was no other way to ensure that people would get the right balance of foods.
...the ecological balance of the forest.
Synonyms: stability, equanimity, constancy, steadiness More Synonyms of balance
5. singular noun
If you say that thebalance tips in your favour, you start winning or succeeding, especially in a conflict or contest.
...a powerful new gun which could tip the balance of the war in their favour.
The balance continues to swing away from final examinations to continuous assessment.
6. verb
If you balance one thing against another, you consider its importance in relation to the other one.
She carefully tried to balance religious sensitivities against democratic freedom. [VERB noun + against]
Synonyms: weigh, consider, compare, estimate More Synonyms of balance
7. verb
If someone balances their budget or if a government balances the economy of a country, they make sure that the amount of money that is spent is not greater than the amount that is received.
He balanced his budgets by rigid control over public expenditure. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: calculate, rate, judge, total More Synonyms of balance
8. verb
If you balance your books or make them balance, you prove by calculation that the amount of money you have received is equal to the amount that you have spent.
...teaching them to balance the books. [VERB noun]
To make the books balance, spending must fall and taxes must rise. [VERB]
9. countable noun
The balance in your bank account is the amount of money you have in it.
I'd like to check the balance in my account please.
10. singular noun
Thebalance of an amount of money is what remains to be paid for something or what remains whenpart of the amount has been spent.
They were due to pay the balance on delivery.
Synonyms: remainder, rest, difference, surplus More Synonyms of balance
11. See also bank balance
12.
See in the balance
13.
See keep your balance
14.
See off balance
15.
See off balance
16.
See on balance
Phrasal verbs:
See balance out
More Synonyms of balance
balance in British English
(ˈbæləns)
noun
1.
a weighing device, generally consisting of a horizontal beam pivoted at its centre, from the ends of which two pans are suspended. The substance to be weighed is placed in one pan and known weights are placed inthe other until the beam returns to the horizontal
See also microbalance
2.
an imagined device for assessing events, actions, motives, etc, in relation to each other (esp in the phrases weigh in the balance, hang in the balance)
3.
a state of equilibrium
4.
something that brings about such a state
5.
equilibrium of the body; steadiness
to lose one's balance
6.
emotional stability; calmness of mind
7.
harmony in the parts of a whole
balance in an artistic composition
8.
the act of weighing factors, quantities, etc, against each other
9.
the power to influence or control
he held the balance of power
10.
something that remains or is left
let me have the balance of what you owe me
11. accounting
a.
equality of debit and credit totals in an account
b.
a difference between such totals
12. chemistry
the state of a chemical equation in which the number, kind, electrical charges, etc, of the atoms on opposite sidesare equal
13.
a balancing movement
14. short for spring balance
15. in the balance
16. on balance
17. strike a balance
verb
18. (transitive)
to weigh in or as if in a balance
19. (intransitive)
to be or come into equilibrium
20. (transitive)
to bring into or hold in equilibrium
21. (transitive)
to assess or compare the relative weight, importance, etc, of
22. (transitive)
to act so as to equalize; be equal to
23. (transitive)
to compose or arrange so as to create a state of harmony
24. (transitive)
to bring (a chemical or mathematical equation) into balance
25. (transitive) accounting
a.
to compute the credit and debit totals of (an account) in order to determine the difference
b.
to equalize the credit and debit totals of (an account) by making certain entries
c.
to settle or adjust (an account) by paying any money due
26. (intransitive)
(of a business account, balance sheet, etc) to have the debit and credit totals equal
27.
to match or counter (one's dancing partner or his or her steps) by moving towards and away from him or her
Derived forms
balanceable (ˈbalanceable)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin bilancia (unattested), from Late Latin bilanx having two scalepans, from bi-1 + lanx scale
Balance in British English
(ˈbæləns)
noun
the Balance
balance in American English
(ˈbæləns)
noun
1.
an instrument for weighing, esp. one that opposes equal weights, as in two matchedshallow pans hanging from either end of a lever supported exactly in the middle; scales
2.
the imaginary scales of fortune or fate, as an emblem of justice or the power to decide
3.
the power or ability to decide
4.
a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equality in amount, weight, value, or importance,as between two things or the parts of a thing
5.
bodily equilibrium or stability
he kept his balance on the tightrope
6.
mental or emotional stability
7.
a.
the pleasing harmony of various elements in a design, painting, musical composition, etc.; harmonious proportion
b.
a setting of clauses, phrases, ideas, etc. in parallel constructions for rhetorical effect
8.
a weight, force, effect, etc. that counteracts another or causes equilibrium; counterpoise
9.
the point along an object's length at which there is equilibrium
: in full balance point
10.
a.
equality of debits and credits in an account
b.
the excess of credits over debits or of debits over credits
11.
the amount still owed after a partial settlement
12. US
whatever is left over; remainder
13.
the act of balancing
14.
balance wheel
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈbalanced or ˈbalancing
15.
to weigh in or as in a balance
16.
to compare as to relative importance, value, etc.
17.
to counterpoise or counteract; make up for; offset
18.
to bring into or keep in a state of equilibrium or equipoise; keep steady; poise
to balance oneself on stilts
19.
to bring into proportion, harmony, etc.
20.
to make or be proportionate to; make or be equal to in weight, force, effect, etc.
21.
a.
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)
b.
to settle (an account) by paying debts
22. Dancing
to move toward and then back from (a partner)
verb intransitive
23.
to be in equilibrium
24.
to be equal in value, weight, etc.
25.
to have the credit and debit sides equal to each other
26.
to waver slightly; tilt and return to equilibrium
27. Dancing
to balance partners
SIMILAR WORDS: reˈmainder, ˈsymmetry
Idioms:
in the balance
on balance
the Balance
Derived forms
balanceable (ˈbalanceable)
adjective
Word 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
balance in Accounting1
(bæləns)
Word forms: (regular plural) balances
noun
(Accounting: Financial statements)
The balance of an account is the net amount at a particular time, including all credits and debits.
SIMILAR WORDS:
acccount balance
The balance of an account refers to the amount in the account after recording increases and decreases.
The balances in the asset and liability accounts are used to prepare the financial statements.
The balance of an account is the net amount at a particular time, including all credits and debits.
normal balance, trial balance
balance in Accounting2
(bæləns)
Word forms: (present) balances, (past) balanced, (perfect) balanced, (progressive) balancing
verb
(Accounting: Financial statements)
If a business account or balance sheet balances, the debit and credit totals are equal.
The balance sheet always balances because the purchase of assets must be financed out of either money raised from thebusiness owners, or from money raised outside the business.
The account is designed to always balance, but the way that it is does so tells us how well a country is doing in its transactionswith other countries.
If a business account or balance sheet balances, the debit and credit totals are equal.
More idioms containing
balance
throw someone off balance
in the balance
tip the balance
Examples of 'balance' in a sentence
balance
We have to balance the books very carefully.
The Sun (2016)
They could also be sent for strength and balance training.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Local banks and breweries soon chipped in to bolster the balance sheet.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He does this through a careful balancing act.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Vast sums have been paid with an almost total lack of checks and balances.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They will give you more information about the tariff you are on and about your credit balance.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We have reached a good balance between offence and defence.
The Sun (2016)
We also understand better that sharks play vital roles in marine ecosystems, keeping an ecological balance that promotes diversity.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A payment plan of 10 a month has been arranged for the remaining balance.
The Sun (2016)
Tube trains are notorious for throwing one off balance at awkward moments.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This brings into better balance the interests of staff and shareholders.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It is by any check or balance completely absurd.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The company had plainly been insolvent in a balance sheet sense.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
That balance makes an equal burden close to impossible.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You find the balance that lets you best preserve your privacy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You have to balance the books with that subsidy.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Work out what to keep and what to let go as you look for harmony and balance.
The Sun (2016)
We paid half the asking price and signed to pay the remaining balance by direct debit.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
What is needed is a floating balance between conflicting needs and conflicting demands.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
We enter a refreshing balance and equilibrium in life.
Christianity Today (2000)
We need to find a good balance and after to try to get success.
The Sun (2015)
This sport can balance its favours brutally.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is exactly the opposite of the balance demanded by public opinion.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You can check property prices and your bank balance more easily.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You must find a balance in your relationship and you do not want to lose your friends.
The Sun (2014)
We have a positive current account balance.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The rest comes from an equal balance of individual musical voices.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
No interest paid on current account credit balances.
The Sun (2014)
Wages and prices remained in fair balance.
Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)
It is very exciting to see how strength and balance return to normal and know that you have done it yourself.
Andrews, Elizabeth Muscle Management (1991)
To our horror we were informed that the entire balance was due and that there was no note on the system.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Thus the key issue is that industrial output continue to rise and the balance of trade in manufactured goods be favourable.
Hirst, Paul After Thatcher (1989)
The acceleration of evolutionary processes would take place out of kilter with the parallel evolution required to keep an ecological balance.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Word lists with
balance
ballet
In other languages
balance
British English: balance /ˈbæləns/ NOUN
Balance is the steadiness that someone or something has when they are standing or resting on something.
He lost his balance as his foot slipped on the ice.
American English: balance
Arabic: تَوَازُن
Brazilian Portuguese: equilíbrio
Chinese: 平衡
Croatian: ravnoteža
Czech: rovnováha
Danish: balance
Dutch: evenwicht
European Spanish: equilibrio
Finnish: tasapaino
French: équilibre
German: Gleichgewicht
Greek: ισορροπία
Italian: equilibrio
Japanese: バランス
Korean: 균형
Norwegian: stabilitet steadiness
Polish: równowaga
European Portuguese: equilíbrio
Romanian: echilibru
Russian: равновесие a weighing device
Latin American Spanish: equilibrio
Swedish: balans
Thai: ความสมดุล
Turkish: denge fizik
Ukrainian: баланс
Vietnamese: sự cân bằng
British English: balance VERB
If you balance something somewhere, or if it balances there, it remains steady and does not fall.
I balanced on the ledge.
American English: balance
Brazilian Portuguese: equilibrar(-se)
Chinese: 使平衡
European Spanish: mantener el equilibrio
French: tenir en équilibre
German: balancieren
Italian: stare in equilibrio
Japanese: 均衡をとる
Korean: 균형 잡다
European Portuguese: equilibrar(-se)
Latin American Spanish: equilibrar
All related terms of 'balance'
balance out
If two or more opposite things balance out or if you balance them out , they become equal in amount, value , or effect .
off balance
If you are off balance , you are in an unsteady position and about to fall .
on balance
You can say on balance to indicate that you are stating an opinion after considering all the relevant facts or arguments .
pH balance
a method of expressing the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a solution
the Balance
the constellation Libra , the seventh sign of the zodiac
balance beam
a long, narrow, horizontal wooden beam raised about 4 feet (1.2 m) above the floor , on which women gymnasts perform balancing routines consisting of jumps , tumbles , turns, running steps , etc.
balance pipe
a pipe between two points used to equalize pressure
balance shaft
a shaft in a vehicle engine that is designed to reduce the amount of vibration from other moving parts as it rotates
balance sheet
A balance sheet is a written statement of the amount of money and property that a company or person has, including amounts of money that are owed or are owing. Balance sheet is also used to refer to the general financial state of a company.
balance wheel
a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece , thereby regulating its beat
bank balance
Your bank balance is the amount of money that you have in your bank account at a particular time.
beam balance
a piece of apparatus used for artistic gymnastics
debit balance
the amount of money owed to a lender, etc
horn balance
an extension of an aircraft control surface that projects in front of the hinge providing aerodynamic assistance in moving the control
mass balance
Mass balance is a consideration of the input , output , and distribution of a substance between streams in a process or stage.
trade balance
a country's trade balance is the difference in value, over a period of time, between the goods it imports and the goods it exports
trial balance
a statement of all the debit and credit balances in the ledger of a double-entry system, drawn up to test their equality
account balance
a figure stating how much money is in a bank account; it can be in debit or in credit
balance bridge
a bascule bridge
balance spring
hairspring
balance weight
a weight used in machines to counterbalance a part, as of a crankshaft
credit balance
the amount of money that a client of a financial institution has in his or her account , in securities , etc
energy balance
An energy balance is a consideration of the energy input , output , and consumption or generation in a process or stage.
normal balance
The normal balance of an account is the side of the account that is positive or increasing.
opening balance
the amount of money in an account at the start of an accounting period
spring balance
a device in which an object to be weighed is attached to the end of a helical spring , the extension of which indicates the weight of the object on a calibrated scale
torsion balance
an instrument used to measure small forces, esp electric or magnetic forces, by the torsion they produce in a thin wire , thread , or rod
visible balance
the difference in value between total exports and total imports of goods
balance transfer
the act of transferring debt from one credit card to another, assuming that the second card has better terms or interest rates than the first
in the balance
If something hangs in the balance , it is uncertain whether it will happen or continue .
invisible balance
the difference in value between total exports of services plus payment of property incomes from abroad and total imports of services plus payment abroad of property incomes
population balance
A population balance is a model showing particle sizes during a grinding process, which is used when designing a process.
balance an account
If you balance an account , you adjust entries in the account in order to make the credit and debit totals equal.
balance of nature
the stable state in which natural communities of animals and plants exist, maintained by adaptation , competition , and other interactions between members of the communities and their nonliving environment
balance of power
The balance of power is the way in which power is distributed between rival groups or countries.
balance of terror
military deterrence based on the possession of weapons of mass destruction by opponents in a conflict
balance of trade
A country's balance of trade is the difference in value, over a period of time, between the goods it imports and the goods it exports.
hydrostatic balance
a balance for finding the weight of an object submerged in water in order to determine the upthrust on it and thus determine its relative density
strike a balance
to make a compromise
tip the balance
to produce one result in a particular situation where, before, two possible results seemed equally likely
work/life balance
Your work-life balance is how you organize your days, for example how many hours you spend at work, and how much time you spend with friends or doing things you enjoy .
balance of payments
A country's balance of payments is the difference, over a period of time, between the payments it makes to other countries for imports and the payments it receives from other countries for exports.
balance sheet account
A balance sheet account is an account in the chart of accounts that is reported on the balance sheet.
redress the balance
to make a fair adjustment ; see that justice is done
balance sheet equation
A balance sheet equation is a basic accounting equation that states that assets equal liabilities plus equity .
consolidated balance sheet
a statement that shows the financial position of a parent company and its subsidiary companies at a specified date by listing the asset balances and the claims on such assets
off-balance sheet reserve
a sum of money or an asset that should appear on a company's balance but does not; hidden reserve
passive balance of trade
a negative balance of trade
throw someone off balance
to suddenly confuse or surprise someone
tip the scales/balance
If something tips the scales or tips the balance , it gives someone a slight advantage .