balance
bal·ance [balance balances balanced balancing] noun, verb BrE [ˈbæləns] NAmE [ˈbæləns]
noun
EQUAL AMOUNTS
1. uncountable, singular a situation in which different things exist in equal, correct or good amounts
see also ↑imbalance
• This newspaper maintains a good balance in its presentation of different opinions.
• Tourists often disturb the delicate balance of nature on the island.
•His wife's death disturbed the balance of his mind.
•~ between A and B Try to keep a balance between work and relaxation.
OF BODY
2. uncountable the ability to keep steady with an equal amount of weight on each side of the body
• Athletes need a good sense of balance.
• I struggled to keep my balance on my new skates.
•She cycled round the corner, lost her balance and fell off.
MONEY
3. countable, usually singular the amount that is left after taking numbers or money away from a total
•to check your bank balance (= to find out how much money there is in your account)
4. countable, usually singular an amount of money still owed after some payment has been made
• The balance of $500 must be paid within 90 days.
INSTRUMENT FOR WEIGHING
5. countable an instrument for weighing things, with a bar that is supported in the middle and has dishes hanging from each end
more at redress the balance at ↑redress v., strike a balance at ↑strike v., swing the balance at ↑swing v., tip the balance/scales at ↑tip v.
Word Origin:
Middle English (in sense 5 of the noun): from Old French balance (noun), balancer (verb), based on late Latin (libra) bilanx ‘(balance) having two scale pans’, from bi- ‘twice, having two’ + lanx ‘scale pan’.
Example Bank:
•Cats have a very good sense of balance.
•Democracy depends on a system of checks and balances.
•Everyone likes to have a healthy bank balance.
•Gymnasts have excellent balance.
•He argues that the balance has swung too far in favour/favor of capitalism.
•He asked the cashier for the balance of his current account.
•He set his feet wider and adjusted his balance.
•How do you find an acceptable balance between closeness and distance in a relationship?
•I'll need to check my bank balance before I spend so much money.
•I'll pay the balance later.
•In an interview, good presentation can tip the balance your way.
•Interest is calculated on the daily cleared balance and paid direct to your account.
•It is important to keep the different aspects of your life in balance.
•Pulling up all the plants will disturb the natural balance of the pond.
•She lost her balance and fell.
•The balance of advantage has shifted from the unions to employers.
•The balance of the proceeds will be used for new equipment.
•The final balance is due six weeks before departure.
•The gymnasts finish with floor exercises and the balance beam.
•The sudden movement threw him off balance.
•There is an even gender balance among staff and students.
•There was a dramatic shift in the balance of power.
•They assessed the balance of forces between Israel and other countries.
•Tightness in one set of muscles will affect your whole balance.
•We need to strike a balance between these conflicting interests.
•Who holds the balance of power in this relationship?
•With children, it is important to achieve the right balance between love and discipline.
•Yoga improves balance as well as flexibility.
•You have to maintain a balance in your life or else you'll go crazy.
•a healthy balance of foods
•the balance between academic and practical work
•the balance brought forward from the previous year
•the balance of animals and plants in the environment
•the changing balance of power between the working and middle class
•the company's balance sheet
•to hold the balance of power
•ways to improve your work-life balance
•He lost his balance and fell over.
•I need to check my bank balance.
Idioms: balance of evidence ▪ ↑in the balance ▪ ↑off balance ▪ ↑on balance
verb
KEEP STEADY
1. intransitive, transitive to put your body or sth else into a position where it is steady and does not fall
•~ (on sth) How long can you balance on one leg?
•~ sth (on sth) The television was precariously balanced on top of a pile of books.
•She balanced the cup on her knee.
BE/KEEP EQUAL
2. intransitive, transitive to be equal in value, amount, etc. to sth else that has the opposite effect
Syn: ↑offset
•~ out The good and bad effects of any decision will usually balance out.
•~ sth (out) This year's profits will balance our previous losses.
•His lack of experience was balanced by a willingness to learn.
3. transitive ~ A with/and B to give equal importance to two contrasting things or parts of sth
• She tries to balance home life and career.
COMPARE
4. transitive ~ A against B to compare the relative importance of two contrasting things
• The cost of obtaining legal advice needs to be balanced against its benefits.
MONEY
5. transitive ~ sth (finance)to show that in an account the total money spent is equal to the total money received; to calculate the difference between the two totals
Verb forms: 
Word Origin:
Middle English (in sense 5 of the noun): from Old French balance (noun), balancer (verb), based on late Latin (libra) bilanx ‘(balance) having two scale pans’, from bi- ‘twice, having two’ + lanx ‘scale pan’.
Thesaurus:
balance verb I, T
•How long can you balance on one leg?
steady • • stand • • poise • • lean • • prop • • rest •
balance/stand/lean/prop/rest (sth) on sth
steady/stand/lean/prop/rest (sth) against sth
steady/poise/prop yourself somewhere
Example Bank:
•He balanced the glasses carefully on the tray.
•She tries to balance the needs of her children with those of her employer.
•The plan seeks to balance two important objectives.
•The song perfectly balances melody and rhythm.
•We have to balance the risks of the new strategy against the possible benefits.
•This year's profits will balance out previous losses.
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