a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.

something used to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.

mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc.

a state of bodily equilibrium

He lost his balance and fell down the stairs.

an instrument for determining weight, typically by the equilibrium of a bar with a fulcrum at the center, from each end of which is suspended a scale or pan, one holding an object of known weight, and the other holding the object to be weighed.

the remainder or rest

He carried what he could and left the balance for his brother to bring.

the power or ability to decide an outcome by throwing one's strength, influence, support, or the like, to one side or the other.

(in winemaking) the degree to which all the attributes of a wine are in harmony, with none either too prominent or deficient.

Accounting .

equality between the totals of the two sides of an account.

the difference between the debit total and the credit total of an account.

unpaid difference represented by the excess of debits over credits.

an adjustment of accounts.

the act of balancing; comparison as to weight, amount, importance, etc.; estimate.

preponderating weight

The balance of the blame is on your side.

Fine Arts . composition or placement of elements of design, as figures, forms, or colors, in such a manner as to produce an aesthetically pleasing or harmoniously integrated whole.

Dance . a balancing movement.

Also called balance wheel. Horology . a wheel that oscillates against the tension of a hairspring to regulate the beats of a watch or clock.

( initial capital letter ) Astronomy, Astrology . the constellation or sign of Libra; Scales.

Audio . (in a stereophonic sound system) the comparative loudness of two speakers, usually set by a control (balance control) on the amplifier or receiver.

to bring to or hold in equilibrium; poise

to balance a book on one's head.

to arrange, adjust, or proportion the parts of symmetrically.

to be equal or proportionate to

I'm always happy when cash on hand balances expected expenses. One side of an equation must balance the other.

Accounting .

to add up the two sides of (an account) and determine the difference.

to make the necessary entries in (an account) so that the sums of the two sides will be equal.

to settle by paying what remains due on an account; equalize or adjust.

to weigh in a balance.

to estimate the relative weight or importance of; compare

to balance all the probabilities of a situation.

to serve as a counterpoise to; counterbalance; offset

The advantages more than balance the disadvantages.

Dance . to move in rhythm to and from

to balance one's partner.

to have an equality or equivalence in weight, parts, etc.; be in equilibrium

The account doesn't balance. Do these scales balance?

Accounting . to reckon or adjust accounts.

to waver or hesitate

He would balance and temporize endlessly before reaching a decision.

Dance . to move forward and backward or in opposite directions. ?

in the balance

with the outcome in doubt or suspense

While the jury deliberated, his fate rested in the balance.

on balance

considering all aspects

On balance, the new product is doing well.

noun

disproportion , imbalance , instability , noncomposure , deficiency , deficit , preponderance

verb

disproportion , overbalance , unbalance , derange , preponderate

noun

antithesis , correspondence , counterbalance , equity , equivalence , evenness , even-steven , hang , harmony , parity , proportion , stasis , symmetry , tension , equanimity , poise , self-control , self-possession , stability , steadfastness , difference , dividend , excess , profit , remainder , residue , rest , surplus , counterpoise , equilibrium , equipoise , aplomb , collectedness , composure , coolness , imperturbability , imperturbableness , nonchalance , sang-froid , unflappability , leavings , leftover , remains , remnant , compensation , equipollence , estimate , homeostasis , libration , overplus , scales , serenity , steadiness , weighing

verb

accord , adjust , attune , cancel , collate , come out , come out even , compensate , correspond , counteract , counterbalance , equalize , equate , even , harmonize , level , make up for , match , neutralize , nullify , offset , oppose , pair off , parallel , poise , readjust , redeem , set , square , stabilize , steady , tie , weigh , assess , consider , deliberate , estimate , evaluate , audit , calculate , compute , count , enumerate , figure , settle , sum up , tally , total , counterpoise , countervail , make up , set off , outweigh , perch , antithesis , average , composure , due , equal , equality , equilibrate , equilibrium , equilibrize , equiponderate , excess , hang , leftover , librate , parity , pay , recoup , redress , remainder , residue , rest , scale , stability , steadiness