balancing

Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Financial, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

bal·ance

(băl′əns)

1. A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless. Also called scale.

2. A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.

3. The power or means to decide: matters that fell outside the judge's balance.

a. A state of bodily equilibrium: thrown off balance by a gust of wind.

b. The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium: Gymnasts must have good balance.

5. A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design.

6. An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.

7. The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences.

8. Accounting

a. Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.

b. The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.

9. Something that is left over; a remainder.

10. Chemistry Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of an equation.

11. Mathematics Equality with respect to the net number of reduced symbolic quantities on each side of an equation.

12. A balance wheel.

v. bal·anced, bal·anc·ing, bal·anc·es

v.tr.

1. To determine the weight of (something) in a weighing device.

2. To consider and compare or assess: balanced the pros and cons before making a choice.

3. To bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium.

4. To act as an equalizing weight or force to; counterbalance.

5. Accounting

a. To compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account).

b. To reconcile or equalize the sums of the debits and credits of (an account).

c. To settle (an account, for example) by paying what is owed.

6. To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony.

7. Mathematics & Chemistry To bring (an equation) into balance.

8. To move toward and then away from (a dance partner).

v.intr.

1. To be in or come into equilibrium.

2. To be equal or equivalent.

3. To sway or waver as if losing or regaining equilibrium.

4. To move toward and then away from a dance partner.

Idioms:

in the balance

In an undetermined and often critical position: Our plans were left hanging in the balance. Resolution of that item is still in the balance.

on balance

Taking everything into consideration; all in all.

[Middle English balaunce, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *bilancia, having two scale pans, from Latin bilānx : bi-, two; see dwo- in Indo-European roots + lānx, scale.]

bal′ance·a·ble adj.

Bal·ance

(băl′əns)

See Libra.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

balancing

(ˈbælənsɪŋ)

1. the process of achieving or maintaining equilibrium

2. (Accounting & Book-keeping) accounting finance achieving equality of debit and credit totals in an account

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Noun

balancing - getting two things to correspond; "the reconciliation of his checkbook and the bank statement"

reconciliation

equalisation, equalization, leveling - the act of making equal or uniform

Translations

équilibrage

basculante conguaglio pareggio parificazione resa dei conti

balancing

[ˈbælənsɪŋ]

A. N

1. (= equilibrium) balancing on a high wire is not easy → mantener el equilibrio en la cuerda floja no es fácil

2. (Comm, Fin) balancing of accounts → balance m de cuentas
balancing of the books → balance m de los libros

B. CPD balancing act N to do a balancing act (between) → hacer malabarismos (con)

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

balancing

balancing act

n (lit, fig) → Balanceakt m

balancing trick

n → Balancekunststück nt

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

balancing

[ˈbælənsɪŋ] n

a. → messa in equilibrio (Aut) (of wheels) → equilibratura

b. (Comm, Fin) (of account) → saldo; (of budget) → pareggiamento
balancing of the books → bilancio

References in classic literature ?

In respect of military method, we have, firstly, Measurement; secondly, Estimation of quantity; thirdly, Calculation; fourthly, Balancing of chances; fifthly, Victory.

Measurement owes its existence to Earth; Estimation of quantity to Measurement; Calculation to Estimation of quantity; Balancing of chances to Calculation; and Victory to Balancing of chances.

View in context

He minds you somewhat of a juggler, balancing a long staff on his chin.

View in context

The traitor in faction, lightly goeth away with it; for when matters have stuck long in balancing, the winning of some one man casteth them, and he getteth all the thanks.

View in context

The only conscience we can trust to is the massive sense of wrong in a class, and the best wisdom that will work is the wisdom of balancing claims.

View in context

The popularity of laboratory balances and scales is increasing due to the adoption of laboratory balances and scales in laboratory equipment for balancing, and scaling Sample Report Access Source https://www.mrrse.com/sample/18844 This research report provides a detailed analysis of the laboratory balances and scales market and offers insights about the various factors influencing the market.

Laboratory Balances and Scales Market Prospects, Outlook and Growth Analysis for the Period 2018 -- 2

The European Stone Stacking Championships are Europe's largest championships for all Stone Stacking and Rock Balancing artists and practitioners.

The European Stone Stacking Championships

Artificial balancing is the practice of restricting or enhancing plastic flow to one or more cavities to achieve a fill balance.

The fallacies of mold fill balance: understanding there is more to balance than just filling each cavity at the same time

Until now, companies interested in load balancing their servers would have had to invest thousands of dollars in load balancing equipment and software plus the additional cost of locating their servers in multiple locations.

Peer 1 network raises bar in network performance with launch of new GLOBAL load balancing product

While unsteadily balancing on the ball, an epiphany transported him to the hardware store to purchase wood, glue, duct tape and staples.

Topsy turvy: get your exercise routine rolling again with the BOSU[R] Balance Trainer

Some research suggests that general balancing movements may lower the risk of ACL injury (Caraffa).