balance

Noun

Noun

×

A word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

Plural

balances

Verb

Verb

×

A word that expresses an action, state, or occurrence.

present (v1)

balance

past (v2)

balanced

past participle (v3)

balanced

present participle

balancing

3rd person singular

balances

Noun

Noun

×

A word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

1. 1.A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.

   • But civilized man is quite a different animal, and when he wipes out an entire city or levels a forest, he is no longer working within the natural balance of things.

2. 2.Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.

3. 3.Something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight.

   • These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah.
   • Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.

4. 4.A pair of scales.

Verb

Verb

×

A word that expresses an action, state, or occurrence.

1. 1.To make (concepts) agree.

2. 2.To hold (an object or objects) precariously; to support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling.

   • I balanced my mug of coffee on my knee.
   • The circus performer balances a plate on the end of a baton.

3. 3.To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.

   • Ballance the Good and Evil of Things.
   • Mr. Morrison's ruling to reopen the station as a shelter was given after he had balanced the relative dangers of flooding and bombing.

4. 4.To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.

   • They must balance themselves down the fence until they reach the end.
   • She balanced along the wire while the crowd watched in rapt attention.

Overall

Common· #1859

By learning goal

Everyday conversation

Rare

General reading & writing

Common

Academic

Uncommon

Literature

Rare

Synonyms

• proportion