BALANCES | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Middle English (in balance (sense 3 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’

an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady

even distribution of weight

• she lost her balance and fell

a situation in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions

situation in which elements are equal

• the obligations of political balance in broadcasting
• try to keep a balance between work and relaxation

an apparatus for weighing, especially one with a central pivot, beam, and two scales.

apparatus for weighing

a counteracting weight or force.

counteracting weight or force

a predominating amount; a preponderance

preponderance

• the balance of opinion was that work was more important than leisure

a figure representing the difference between credits and debits in an account; the amount of money held in an account

amount of money in account

• he accumulated a healthy balance with the savings bank

put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall

put something in steady position

• a mug that she balanced on her knee

offset or compare the value of (one thing) with another

offset value of one thing with another

• the cost of obtaining such information needs to be balanced against its benefits

compare debits and credits in (an account) so as to ensure that they are equal

compare debits and credits in account

• the law requires the council to balance its books each year