# balancing

/ˈbæɫənsɪŋ/ (US) · /bˈælənsɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. physical stability

noun · CEFR B1

the act of keeping yourself or an object steady so it does not fall over.

For teachers: the physical act of maintaining equilibrium or stability to prevent falling or tilting.

- The acrobat's balancing on the thin wire amazed the crowd at the circus.
- The careful balancing of the heavy crates on the small boat was essential to prevent the vessel from capsizing in the rough harbour waters.

### 2. managing different needs

noun · CEFR B2

the effort to give the right amount of time or importance to different parts of your life.

For teachers: the conceptual process of weighing and reconciling competing interests, duties, or factors.

- The balancing of work and family life is a challenge for many parents.
- The government faced a difficult balancing of economic growth against the urgent need for stricter environmental protections.

## Examples

- Life is a difficult balancing act between work and family.
- The chef demonstrated impressive skill in the balancing of spicy, sour, and sweet flavors in the signature dish.
- Successful fiscal policy requires a delicate balancing of public spending against the need for long-term debt reduction, especially during periods of economic volatility.

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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.
