balance

/ˈba-lən(t)s/

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *bilancia, from Late Latin bilanc-, bilanx having two scalepans, from Latin bi- + lanc-, lanx plate

noun

  1. physical equilibrium

  2. the ability to retain one's balance

  3. stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis

trouble keeping your balance on a sailboat

Gymnasts must have a good sense of balance.

verb

  1. to poise or arrange in or as if in balance

  2. to bring into harmony or proportion

  3. to bring to a state or position of balance

balancing a book on her head

I struggled to balance my career and family life.

noun

  1. a narrow wooden beam supported in a horizontal position approximately four feet above the floor and used for balancing feats in gymnastics

  2. an event in gymnastics competition in which the balance beam is used