balance (balances plural & 3rd person present) (balancing present participle) (balanced past tense & past participle )
1 verb If you balance something somewhere, or if it balances there, it remains steady and does not fall.
I balanced on the ledge... V prep/adv
He balanced a football on his head. V n prep/adv
2 n-uncount Balance is the ability to remain steady when you are standing up.
The medicines you are currently taking could be affecting your balance.
3 v-recip If you balance one thing with something different, each of the things has the same strength or importance.
Balance spicy dishes with mild ones... V n with n
The state has got to find some way to balance these two needs... V pl-n
Supply and demand on the currency market will generally balance. pl-n V, Also V with n
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balanced adj usu adv ADJ
This book is a well balanced biography.
4 n-sing A balance is a situation in which all the different parts are equal in strength or importance.
with supp, oft N between pl-n
Their marriage is a delicate balance between traditional and contemporary values..., ...the ecological balance of the forest.
5 n-sing If you say that the balance tips in your favour, you start winning or succeeding, especially in a conflict or contest.
the N
...a powerful new gun which could tip the balance of the war in their favour...
6 verb If you balance one thing against another, you consider its importance in relation to the other one.
She carefully tried to balance religious sensitivities against democratic freedom. V n against n
7 verb If someone balances their budget or if a government balances the economy of a country, they make sure that the amount of money that is spent is not greater than the amount that is received.
He balanced his budgets by rigid control over public expenditure. V n
8 verb If you balance your books or make them balance, you prove by calculation that the amount of money you have received is equal to the amount that you have spent.
...teaching them to balance the books... V n
To make the books balance, spending must fall and taxes must rise. V
9 n-count The balance in your bank account is the amount of money you have in it.
usu with supp
I'd like to check the balance in my account please.
10 n-sing The balance of an amount of money is what remains to be paid for something or what remains when part of the amount has been spent.
the N
(=remainder)
They were due to pay the balance on delivery.
12 If something hangs in the balance, it is uncertain whether it will happen or continue.
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in the balance phrase PHR after v, v-link PHR
The fate of a project which could revolutionise the use of computers in hospitals hangs in the balance.
13 If you keep your balance, for example when standing in a moving vehicle, you remain steady and do not fall over. If you lose your balance, you become unsteady and fall over.
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keep your balance phrase V inflects
14 If you are off balance, you are in an unsteady position and about to fall.
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off balance phrase PHR after v, v-link PHR
A gust of wind knocked him off balance and he fell face down in the mud.
15 If you are thrown off balance by something, you are surprised or confused by it.
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off balance phrase PHR after v
She was trying to behave as if his visit hadn't thrown her off balance.
16 You can say on balance to indicate that you are stating an opinion after considering all the relevant facts or arguments.
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on balance phrase PHR with cl
On balance he agreed with Christine. balance out phrasal verb If two or more opposite things balance out or if you balance them out, they become equal in amount, value, or effect.
Outgoings and revenues balanced out... V P
The strenuous exercise undergone could balance out the increased calories. V P n (not pron), Also V n P
