balance

Pluralbalances (some meanings)

Formsbalances, balancing, balanced

1. 1
   equilibriumnoununcountable

   A state in which opposing forces or weights are evenly matched, including the steady body position that keeps a person from falling.

   She lost her balance on the icy step and fell.

   The treaty preserved a fragile balance of power between the two nations.

   UsageOften a balance of or between things; you strike, upset or tip the balance. Physically, you keep or lose your balance.

   Similarequilibrium, parity, equality, stability, evenness

   Oppositeimbalance, disequilibrium, instability

   Note

   The idea of level pans sits under every sense of the word. Middle English balaunce came via Old French from Latin bilanx, 'two-scaled', from bi- and lanx, 'plate, scale'. Equilibrium here is two pans hanging even. It is what a disturbance can tip, and the pair of scales is the literal object behind it. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

   • Middle English balaunce came through Old French from Latin bilanx; the source also identifies an intermediate Late Latin *bilancia. en.wiktionary.org
   • Latin bilanx means two-scaled and is formed from bi- and lanx. en.wiktionary.org
   • Latin lanx means plate or scale pan. en.wiktionary.org
   • A traditional two-pan balance reaches equilibrium with its pans level. en.wikipedia.org
2. 2
   satisfy bothverbfigurativelytransitive

   To bring concepts or demands into agreement, making them fit together without conflict.

   The new schedule tries to balance the needs of working parents with the length of the school day.

   Writers must balance clarity with depth when explaining hard ideas.

   UsageBalance one thing with another, or two things together: balance work with family.

   Similarreconcile, harmonize, offset

3. 3
   account totalnouncountable or uncountable

   The difference between the credits and debits of an account; the amount remaining.

   The accountant reconciled the balance at the end of each month.

   A negative balance means the company owes more than it holds.

   UsageCommon in check your balance, bank balance and a negative balance.

   Note

   This is the figure a customer means on a quick trip to check my balance. It is the net amount standing to an account at a given date, and it can be negative. It overlaps with the 'remainder' meaning without matching it. An account's balance is a net position, while the balance on an invoice is simply what is still unpaid. Source

   Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

   • An account balance is a net amount, calculated from debits and credits. en.wikipedia.org
   • An account balance represents the position at a particular time. en.wikipedia.org
   • An account balance can be negative. en.wikipedia.org
   • An invoice balance is the amount remaining unpaid. invoiceowl.com
4. 4
   harmony (art)noununcountable

   A sense of harmony in a work of art arising from the agreement of differing colors, sounds, or elements.

   Critics praised the mural's balance of warm and cool tones.

   The composer achieved a delicate balance between strings and brass.

   Similarharmony, proportion, symmetry

   Oppositeimbalance, disharmony

5. 5
   not fallverbintransitive

   To stay, or keep something, in a steady position without falling or tipping over.

   Standing on one foot, the little girl balanced for almost a minute before she wobbled.

   Dancers must balance perfectly before attempting the lift.

   UsageOften balance on something: balance on one foot, balance a book on your head.

6. 6
   equal the weightsverbtransitive

   To bring items to an even weight, as by adjusting the weights on a pair of scales until both sides match.

   The jeweler balanced the scales by adjusting tiny brass weights.

   Engineers balance a rotating wheel so it spins without wobbling.

   Similarequalize, level, even

   Oppositeunbalance

7. 7
   amount leftnouncountable or uncountable

   The amount that remains; the part left over after part has been used or paid.

   The buyer paid a deposit and settled the balance upon delivery.

   Workers will complete the balance of the project by spring.

   UsageUsually with the: pay the balance, the balance of the project.

   Similarremainder, rest, residue

   Note

   Business and law use this sense for what is still outstanding: the sum owed after a part payment, or the rest of an agreement that stays in force. Keep it apart from an account's balance, which is the difference between credit and debit.

8. 8
   match the booksverbtransitive

   Of accounts, to have credits and debits that match, or to make them match.

   The treasurer balanced the company's books before the annual meeting.

   Small businesses must balance their ledgers each quarter.

   UsageSet phrase: balance the books. It also works with no object: the books balance.

   Similarreconcile, square

   Note

   Addison turned it into a moral reckoning in 1712, when Sir Andrew Freeport says: 'it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker.' Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

   • The passage was first published in 1712. gutenberg.org
   • The quoted words occur in the passage. gutenberg.org
9. 9
   fairnessnoununcountable

   Fair awareness of both sides of an issue; neutrality and objectivity in judgment.

   Reporters strive for balance by presenting opposing arguments fairly.

   Her review kept its balance, praising and criticizing in equal measure.

   UsageCommon with reporting: strive for balance. The adjective is frequent too: balanced coverage.

   Similarfairness, impartiality, objectivity, neutrality, evenhandedness

   Oppositebias, partiality, partisanship

10. 10
    calm mindnoununcountable

    Mental steadiness; a calm, clear-headed state in which one stays composed and untroubled.

    He regained his emotional balance after weeks of rest.

    Keeping your balance under pressure is the mark of a good leader.

    UsageOften keep, lose or regain your balance.

    Similarcomposure, equanimity, poise, stability, equilibrium

    Oppositeinstability

11. 11
    account sheetnouncountable or uncountable

    A statement listing the debits on one side and the credits on the other.

    Before closing the books, the accountant ran a trial balance to make sure total debits equaled total credits.

    The auditor found a typing error after the trial balance came out a few dollars off.

    UsageMost often in trial balance.

    Note

    Bookkeeping turns the two pans of the scales into two columns. Debit entries are set against credit entries so the sides can be totaled and reconciled. Keep this apart from the resulting figure. Here the word means the document an auditor examines, not the single number it produces. Source

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

    • Bookkeeping uses separate debit and credit columns whose totals are compared. openstax.org
    • Auditors examine accounting statements listing debits and credits. accaglobal.com
12. 12
    which side winsnoununcountable

    The overall outcome of conflicting forces or opinions; the influence that finally weighs more than the rest.

    The balance of power tilted toward the smaller party after the vote.

    New evidence shifted the balance against the defendant.

    UsageUsually the balance of power or opinion, which shifts or tilts. Set phrase: on balance, meaning all things considered.

    Similarweight

    Note

    It is something that lies with one side, shifts or tilts, so the verbs around it describe direction rather than stillness. That is what separates it from the equilibrium meaning, where the same phrase can describe forces held level.

13. 13
    weigh upverbtransitive

    To weigh things against each other in order to compare their relative importance, value, or force.

    Voters must balance economic promises against environmental concerns at the ballot box.

    The committee balanced the proposal's potential benefits against its long-term costs.

    UsageBalance one thing against another: balance the benefits against the costs.

    Similarweigh, compare

    Note

    Roger L'Estrange writes 'Ballance the Good and Evil of Things' in 1692, with the older double l. Railway Magazine in 1941 uses it of Mr. Morrison weighing the dangers of flooding and bombing. Unlike the obsolete literal weighing, this figurative sense is still current. Source

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

    • Roger L'Estrange wrote the quoted words, spelling Ballance with double l. en.wiktionary.org
    • The quotation is attributed to a work published in 1692. en.wikisource.org
    • Railway Magazine used balanced in 1941 concerning Mr. Morrison comparing flooding and bombing dangers. en.wiktionary.org
14. 14
    counterweightnouncountable or uncountable

    A counterweight; something of equal weight that offsets another to maintain equilibrium.

    The crane's rear weight serves as a balance for the load it lifts.

    In the essay, hope acts as a balance to despair.

    UsageFollowed by to or for: hope acts as a balance to despair. Counterbalance is a common alternative.

    Similarcounterweight, counterpoise, offset

    Note

    Here the word names the thing that does the offsetting, not the state it produces. It works literally, as with weights used as a balance for an overhanging verandah. It also works figuratively, of a person or force that checks another, as in a useful balance to Bush's policies.

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