[ˈbaləns], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady
(e.g: she lost her balance and fell)

- a situation in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions
(e.g: the obligations of political balance in broadcasting)

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

- a counteracting weight or force

- a predominating amount; a preponderance
(e.g: 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
(e.g: he accumulated a healthy balance with the savings bank)


Phrases:
- balance of payments
- balance of power
- balance of trade
- in the balance
- on balance
- strike a balance
- tip the balance

Origin:
Middle English (in balance): 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’

[ˈbaləns], (Verb)

Definitions:
- put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall
(e.g: a mug that she balanced on her knee)

- offset or compare the value of (one thing) with another
(e.g: 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
(e.g: the law requires the council to balance its books each year)


Phrases:
- balance of payments
- balance of power
- balance of trade
- in the balance
- on balance
- strike a balance
- tip the balance

Origin:
Middle English (in balance): 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’