Origin: Latin suffix -ance
Balance has 18 different meanings across 2 categories:
a state of equilibrium
"After adding more sugar to the scale, I finally found a balance where both sides rested evenly."
equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
"After reconciling her bank statements, she realized that the ledger finally showed a perfect balance between all deposits and withdrawals."
harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design)
"in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance"
equality of distribution
"The chef adjusted the ingredients until the flavor balance was perfect."
the difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
"The accountant spent hours trying to balance the ledger after discovering a large discrepancy in the client's checking account."
the seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22
"Since my birthday falls under Libra, which represents balance as the seventh sign of the zodiac, I was born between September 23 and October 22."
(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
"The ancient Greek vase displays perfect balance, as the intricate floral patterns mirror each other exactly across its central vertical axis."
a weight that balances another weight
"The heavy stone on the left side of the scale needed a smaller counterweight to achieve balance before the needle stopped moving."
a wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat
"The watchmaker adjusted the delicate balance wheel inside the antique pocket watch to ensure it kept perfect time."
a scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravity
"The old merchant kept his brass balance in the corner to weigh out spices by hand."
A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.
"After years of working late, she finally found a balance between her demanding career and raising three children."
In plain English: Balance is when two things are equal and stable so nothing tips over.
"The tightrope walker struggled to keep her balance while crossing the rope."
Usage: Use "balance" to describe a state where opposing forces are equal and stable. It refers to a condition of equilibrium rather than an action or a specific physical object.
bring into balance or equilibrium
"She has to balance work and her domestic duties"
"balance the two weights"
compute credits and debits of an account
"The accountant spent all morning balancing the ledger to ensure every credit matched its corresponding debit."
To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.
"She carefully added small stones to her improvised scale until the basket on each side hung at exactly the same level."
In plain English: To balance something means to make it steady so it does not fall over.
"She carefully balanced the glass on the edge of the table before taking a sip."
Usage: Use the verb balance when you physically adjust items until they are level or stable, such as balancing a tray on your hands. Do not use it to describe financial equilibrium or emotional steadiness in this physical sense.
The word "balance" entered Middle English from Old French and Late Latin, where it originally described a weighing device with two scales. This term eventually replaced the older Old English word wǣġ, which had a similar meaning but was of Germanic origin.