balance
11 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
balances
plural
balances
Britannica Dictionary definition of BALANCE
1
[noncount]
a
:
the state of having your weight spread equally so that you do not fall
-
He held on to the rail for balance. = He held on to the rail to keep/maintain his balance.
-
She had trouble keeping her balance as the boat rocked back and forth.
-
The skater suddenly lost his balance and fell.
-
Another skater bumped into him and knocked/threw him off balance.
◊ In figurative use, to knock/throw someone off balance or keep someone off balance is to make someone feel unsure about how to behave or what to expect.
-
He was surprised and thrown off balance by her strong personality.
-
The sudden change in the schedule knocked me off balance.
-
The author keeps her readers off balance by always changing the subject.
b
:
the ability to move or to remain in a position without losing control or falling
-
Gymnasts need flexibility and balance.
-
She has a good sense of balance.
2
:
a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance
[singular]
-
Temperature changes could upset the delicate balance of life in the forest.
-
To lose weight you need the proper/right balance of diet and exercise.
-
The food had a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
-
He needs to achieve/create/strike a better balance between his work life and his family life. [=he needs to spend less time at work and more time with his family]
[noncount]
-
To provide balance in her news story, she interviewed members of both political parties.
-
He's trying to keep his work life and his family life in balance. = He's trying to keep his work life in balance with his family life. [=he's trying to give a proper of amount of time and attention to both his work life and his family life]
-
It's important to keep your life in balance.
-
His work life and his family life are out of balance. = His work life is out of balance with his family life.
-
If these ingredients are out of balance [=not used in good or correct amounts], the dish will not taste good.
-
The death of his wife threw/sent his life out of balance.
3
a
[count]
:
the amount of money in a bank account
-
He has a comfortable/healthy/hefty bank balance. [=he has plenty of money in the bank]
-
You must maintain a minimum balance of $1,000 [=you must keep at least $1,000] in your bank account.
b
[count]
:
the amount of money that still needs to be paid
-
What are the unpaid balances on your credit cards?
-
The bill was $500 and we've received $400, so the balance (of the bill) is $100.
c
the balance
:
something that remains or is left over after other things have been done or used
-
We planned to stay there for the balance [=the rest, the remainder] of the summer.
-
Although the beginning is funny, the balance of the book is very serious.
4
[count]
:
a device that measures weight and shows how heavy things are
:
scale
—
see also checks and balances
in the balance
◊ If something (such as your future) hangs in the balance or is in the balance, it is not certain but will soon be known or decided.
-
Our future hangs in the balance as we await their decision. [=our future depends on their decision; their decision will control our future]
-
With his job in the balance, he went to ask his boss for a raise.
on balance
:
with all things considered
:
in general
-
The meeting went well on balance.
-
Although our lives are difficult now, I believe that on balance we are becoming stronger people.
tip the balance
2
balance
/ˈbæləns/
verb
balances;
balanced;
balancing
2
balance
/ˈbæləns/
verb
balances;
balanced;
balancing
Britannica Dictionary definition of BALANCE
1
:
to make (something, such as a plate or your body) steady by keeping weight equal on all sides
—
see also balancing act at 1act
[+ object]
— usually + on
-
The waiters balanced the food on large trays.
-
She learned to walk while balancing a book on her head.
-
Can you balance a spoon on your nose?
[no object]
-
I find it difficult to balance on one foot.
-
He had trouble balancing on his skis.
-
He helped his daughter balance on her bicycle before she started peddling.
2
a
[+ object]
:
to adjust (an account or budget) so that the amount of money available is more than or equal to the amount of money that has been spent
-
The legislature is still trying to balance the state's budget.
-
a balanced budget
b
:
to check and make adjustments to financial records so that they are accurate
[+ object]
-
He balances his checkbook every month.
-
The company hasn't done a good job balancing the books. [=keeping a record of the money it spends and earns]
[no object]
-
Something's wrong: the books don't balance.
3
[+ object]
:
to make (different or opposite things) equal in strength or importance
—
see also balance out 2 (below)
-
She's able to balance her career with her family life. = She balances work and family.
-
The group is balanced between new and old members. [=the group had an equal number of new and old members]
4
[+ object]
:
to make (a different or opposite thing) less powerful, noticeable, etc.
—
see also balance out 1 (below)
-
Serve black coffee to help balance the sweetness of the dessert.
-
His quickness will balance [=compensate for, make up for] the other fighter's greater strength.
-
The movie's serious subject matter is balanced [=offset] with humor.
-
His sadness was balanced by memories of happier days.
5
[+ object]
:
to think about (different things) and decide which is better or more important
— usually + against or with
-
Their fears must be balanced [=weighed] against the need for change.
-
A national government must balance [=compare] the needs of individuals with/against the needs of the entire country.
-
They'll have to balance the risks with the rewards. [=they'll have to decide if the possible good results are worth the possible bad results]
balance out
[phrasal verb]
1
balance out (something)
or
balance (something) out
:
to make (a different or opposite thing) less powerful, noticeable, etc.
—
see also 2balance 4 (above)
-
Serve black coffee to help balance out the sweetness of the dessert.
-
His quickness will balance out [=compensate for, make up for] the other fighter's greater strength.
-
The discount balances out the shipping charge. = The discount and the shipping charge balance each other out. [=the shipping charge and the discount together equal zero]
2
:
to be or become equal or even
—
see also 2balance 3 (above)
-
The good times and the bad times balanced out [=evened out] in the end.
