What does "balance" mean?

1. (physical stability) the ability to stay upright and steady without falling over. 2. (equal distribution) a situation where different things exist in equal or correct amounts. 3. (money in an account) the amount of money you have in your bank account at a specific time. 4. (weighing tool) an instrument used for weighing things, usually with two pans. 5. (to stay steady) to keep yourself or an object in a steady position so it does not fall. 6. (to give equal importance) to give the same amount of attention or importance to two different things.

balance — meaning, definition & examples

Word

01physical stability

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. the ability to stay upright and steady without falling over.

n. the state of physical equilibrium or the ability to maintain the body's centre of mass over its base of support.

“He lost his balance on the icy pavement and nearly fell.”

“The gymnast demonstrated incredible balance as she performed a series of complex flips on the narrow wooden beam.”

Synonyms

stability equilibrium

Antonyms

instability

02equal distribution

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a situation where different things exist in equal or correct amounts.

n. a state in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.

“It is important to have a healthy balance between work and your private life.”

“The architect sought a perfect balance between modern glass surfaces and traditional stone masonry to ensure the building fit the historic district.”

Synonyms

proportion harmony

Antonyms

imbalance disparity

03money in an account

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Accounting

n. the amount of money you have in your bank account at a specific time.

n. the difference between the total debits and total credits in an account; the remaining amount of money.

“I need to check my bank balance before I buy these expensive shoes.”

“After the final mortgage payment was processed, the remaining balance on the loan was officially zero.”

Synonyms

remainder total

04weighing tool

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science

n. an instrument used for weighing things, usually with two pans.

n. a weighing device consisting of a horizontal beam with a support in the centre and pans at each end.

“The chemist used a precise balance to measure the powder for the experiment.”

“In the laboratory, the analytical balance must be kept in a glass case to prevent air currents from affecting the measurement.”

Synonyms

scales

05to stay steady

B1 · Intermediate

v. to keep yourself or an object in a steady position so it does not fall.

v. to keep in a state of equilibrium; to support an object on a narrow base.

“She managed to balance the tray of drinks on one hand while opening the door.”

“The performer balanced a spinning plate on the tip of a thin cane, much to the delight of the gathered crowd.”

Synonyms

steady stabilise

Antonyms

drop topple

06to give equal importance

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to give the same amount of attention or importance to two different things.

v. to offset or compare different influences or factors to reach a state of harmony or neutrality.

“The government is trying to balance the needs of the environment with the needs of the economy.”

“The editor worked hard to balance the political viewpoints in the article to avoid accusations of bias from the readers.”

Synonyms

offset counteract

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “balance” in context.

Verb

01. alter balance

“Adding more weight to one side of the boat will alter its balance.”

verb + noun

02. maintain balance

“Yoga helps you learn how to maintain balance while standing on one leg.”

verb + noun

Uncountable when referring to physical stability; countable when describing an equitable distribution between specific elements.

“Balancing on a single limb can be surprisingly challenging as we get older, but training yourself to do it for longer can make you stronger, boost your memory and keep your brain healthier.”

BBC Future 15 Jan 2026

“It is no surprise to Mr Hoces, a married father of two young daughters, that Denmark is consistently among the top-five countries in the world for work-life balance rankings.”

BBC Travel 7 Mar 2024