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balance

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verb British English pronunciation: balance /ˈbæləns/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theybalance
he/she/itbalances
present participlebalancing
past tensebalanced
past participlebalanced
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] to keep your body steady without falling over
    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  balanceThesaurus entry for this meaning of balance
    1. a.
      [transitive] to put something somewhere carefully so that it is steady and does not fall

      We all sat with plates balanced on our knees.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  balanceThesaurus entry for this meaning of balance
    2. b.
      [intransitive] to be steady in a position where it is possible to fall

      Jean went out, the tray balancing precariously in one hand.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  balanceThesaurus entry for this meaning of balance
  2. 2
    [transitive] to create or preserve a good or correct balance between different features or aspects

    We have to balance the needs and tastes of all our customers.

    balance something with/against something:

    There is a need to balance the demands of the workplace with those of family life.

    Development has to be balanced against environmental concerns.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  balanceThesaurus entry for this meaning of balance
  3. 3

    balance

     or

    balance something out

     [transitive] to reduce the effect, strength, or amount of something, and as a result make it better

    The dark colours are balanced by the brightness of the walls.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  balanceThesaurus entry for this meaning of balance

This is the British English definition of balance. View American English definition of balance.

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