Definition of BALANCE
BALANCE Noun and Verb
Balance is both a noun and a verb, referring to the state of equilibrium or stability, and the act of achieving or maintaining such a state.
BALANCE as a noun
State of Equilibrium: As a noun, balance refers to a state of equilibrium where opposing forces or elements are evenly matched, resulting in stability. For example, “Maintaining a proper balance in the budget is crucial for financial health,” highlights the importance of equilibrium in financial management.
Physical Stability: Balance can also describe physical stability, where an object or person remains upright and steady. For instance, “The tightrope walker demonstrated remarkable balance as she traversed the high wire,” shows the physical skill of maintaining stability in a challenging situation.
Proportional Equilibrium: Balance may refer to a proportional or fair distribution of elements, such as in design or decision-making. For example, “The interior designer achieved a pleasing balance between functionality and aesthetics,” illustrates the harmonious arrangement of elements.
Mental and Emotional Stability: Balance can denote a state of mental and emotional stability, where an individual maintains a sense of well-being. For instance, “Achieving a work-life balance is essential for overall happiness and productivity,” emphasizes the importance of equilibrium in one’s personal and professional life.
BALANCE as a verb
To Achieve Equilibrium: As a verb, balance means to bring or maintain a state of equilibrium between different elements or forces. For example, “The chef balanced the flavors in the dish to create a harmonious taste,” indicates the act of adjusting elements to achieve a pleasing result.
To Stabilize or Adjust: Balance can also involve stabilizing or adjusting something to maintain or regain equilibrium. For instance, “She balanced the books on the shelf to prevent them from falling over,” shows the action of making adjustments to ensure stability.
To Weigh or Compare: In some contexts, balance refers to weighing or comparing different factors to make a decision. For example, “The committee balanced the pros and cons before making a final decision,” illustrates the process of considering various aspects to reach a balanced conclusion.
To Maintain Fairness: Balance may involve maintaining fairness or evenness in various situations. For example, “The mediator balanced the interests of both parties to reach an equitable agreement,” demonstrates the role of balancing different perspectives to achieve fairness.
Balance encompasses both the state of equilibrium as a noun and the act of achieving or maintaining stability as a verb. Whether referring to physical stability, proportional distribution, mental well-being, or fairness, understanding balance highlights its significance in maintaining harmony and stability across various contexts.
Examples of BALANCE in a sentence
BALANCE as a noun in a sentence
- She managed to keep her balance while walking on the tightrope.
- He checked the balance in his bank account before making a purchase.
- The yoga pose requires excellent balance and flexibility.
- There’s a delicate balance between work and personal life.
- The accountant reviewed the balance sheet for any discrepancies.
- Achieving a balance between speed and accuracy is crucial in this job.
- The diet aims for a healthy balance of nutrients.
- His emotional balance was restored after a calming session.
BALANCE as a verb in a sentence
- She tried to balance the stack of books in one hand.
- He needs to balance his time between work and family.
- The teacher asked students to balance their equations in chemistry class.
- They had to balance the budget before the end of the month.
- He managed to balance his career and hobbies successfully.
- She carefully balanced the tray of drinks as she walked to the table.
- The company is working to balance its carbon emissions.
- He attempted to balance on the narrow beam during the gymnastics routine.
Origin of BALANCE
Balance traces its origins to the Latin word bilanx, which means “having two pans” or “having two scales,” from bi- (two) and lanx (dish or scale). This term referred to a type of weighing scale with two pans or dishes used to measure and compare weights.
- Latin: Bilanx (having two pans), from bi- (two) and lanx (dish, scale).
- Latin: Bilanx described a type of scale with two dishes used to balance weights.
- Old French: The term evolved into balance, retaining the concept of weighing or equilibrium.
- Middle English: Balance continued to describe both the physical device used for weighing and the abstract concept of stability or equilibrium.
In contemporary English, balance refers to the state of equilibrium or stability between different elements. It can denote a physical device used for measuring weight or the abstract concept of maintaining stability and fairness in various contexts. The term has retained its core meanings of weighing and equilibrium, reflecting its historical evolution from Latin roots to its broad range of modern applications.
Synonyms
- Equilibrium
- Stability
- Harmony
- Symmetry
- Proportion
- Evenness
- Steadiness
- Composure
Antonyms
- Imbalance
- Instability
- Disproportion
- Asymmetry
- Unsteadiness
- Disarray
- Chaos
- Tilt
Related
- Adjustment
- Moderation
- Counterweight
- Offset
- Equality
- Alignment
- Poise
- Stability
🌐 🇬🇧 BALANCE in other languages
Spanish 🇪🇸 | Equilibrio |
French 🇫🇷 | Équilibre |
German 🇩🇪 | Balance |
Chinese (simpl) 🇨🇳 | 平衡 |
Chinese (trad) 🇨🇳 | 平衡 |
Italian 🇮🇹 | Equilibrio |
Portuguese 🇵🇹 | Equilíbrio |
Dutch 🇳🇱 | Balans |
Swedish 🇸🇪 | Balans |
Norwegian 🇳🇴 | Balansere |
Finnish 🇫🇮 | Saldo |
Romanian 🇷🇴 | Echilibru |
Polish 🇵🇱 | Równowaga |
Hungarian 🇭🇺 | Egyensúly |
Czech 🇨🇿 | Váhy |
Bulgarian 🇧🇬 | Баланс |
Ukrainian 🇺🇦 | Баланс |
Russian 🇷🇺 | Равновесие |
Turkish 🇹🇷 | Denge |
Azerbaijani 🇦🇿 | Balans |
Armenian 🇦🇲 | Հաշվեկշիռ |
Arabic 🇸🇦 | التوازن |
Hebrew 🇮🇱 | לְאַזֵן |
Urdu 🇵🇰 | توازن |
Farsi/Persian 🇮🇷 | تعادل |
Hindi 🇮🇳 | संतुलन |
Bengaleli/se 🇧🇩 | ভারসাম্য |
Marathi 🇮🇳 | शिल्लक |
Telugu 🇮🇳 | బ్యాలెన్స్ |
Tamil 🇮🇳 | இருப்பு |
Gujarati 🇮🇳 | સંતુલન |
Kannada 🇮🇳 | ಸಮತೋಲನ |
Odia (Orya) 🇮🇳 | ସନ୍ତୁଳନ |
Malayalam 🇮🇳 | ബാലൻസ് |
Punjabi 🇮🇳 | ਸੰਤੁਲਨ |
Sinhala/ese 🇱🇰 | ශේෂය |
Nepali 🇳🇵 | सन्तुलन |
Burmese 🇲🇲 | လက်ကျန် |
Thai 🇹🇭 | ความสมดุล |
Vietnamese 🇻🇳 | Cân bằng |
Malay 🇲🇾 | Baki |
Indonesian 🇮🇩 | Keseimbangan |
Tagalog 🇵🇭 | Balanse |
Japanese 🇯🇵 | バランス |
Korean 🇰🇷 | 균형 |
Oromo 🇪🇹 | Madaallii |
Somali 🇸🇴 | Dheelitiran |
Amharic 🇪🇹 | ሚዛን |
Swahili 🇹🇿 | Mizani |
Yoruba 🇳🇬 | Iwontunwonsi |