# balances

/ˈbæɫənsəz/ (US) · /bˈælənsɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/balances
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to keep steady

verb · CEFR B1

to stay steady or keep something from falling over.

For teachers: to maintain physical equilibrium or to keep an object in a stable position.

- The gymnast balances on one leg for several seconds during her routine.
- The tightrope walker carefully balances his weight as he navigates the wire high above the city square.

### 2. to give equal importance

verb · CEFR B2

to give equal attention or importance to two different things.

For teachers: to offset or compare different factors to achieve a neutral or fair result.

- He balances his busy job with plenty of time for his family.
- The new policy balances the need for economic growth with the urgent requirement for environmental protection.

### 3. money in accounts

noun · CEFR B1

the amounts of money remaining in different bank accounts.

For teachers: the plural form referring to the remainders or differences between total debits and total credits in multiple accounts.

- She checked her bank balances online to see if she could afford the trip.
- The accountant reviewed the various ledger balances to ensure that the company's quarterly reports were accurate.

### 4. the constellation Libra

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

another name for the constellation and star sign Libra.

For teachers: a proper noun referring to the constellation Libra, often represented by a pair of scales.

- In old books, the constellation Libra is sometimes called the Balances.
- The ancient manuscript describes the sun entering the Balances at the time of the autumnal equinox.

## Examples

- She checked her bank balances every morning.
- The manager reviewed the account balances to ensure the company had enough cash for the upcoming payroll.
- Maintaining proper balances between professional obligations and personal well-being is essential for long-term career sustainability in high-pressure environments.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.