/ˈbæləns ||; ˈbæləns/noun1 [sing] (a) balance (between A and B) a situation in which different or opposite things are of equal importance, size, etc 平衡的局面；均势: The course provides a good balance between academic and practical work. 这门课程注重学术和实践均衡发展。Tourism has upset the delicate balance of natureon the island. 旅游业破坏了该岛脆弱的自然平衡。
2 [U] the ability to keep steady with an equal amount of weight on each side of the body 保持平衡的能力: to lose your balance （身体）失去平衡It's very difficult to keep your balancewhen you start learning to ski. 初学滑雪时很难保持身体平衡。You need a good sense of balance to ride a motor bike. 驾驶摩托车要有好的平衡感。
3 [C] [sing] the amount that still has to be paid; the amount that is left after some has been used, taken, etc 结欠；剩余: You can pay a 10% deposit now, with the balance due in one month. 你可以先付10%的订金，余额一个月内付清。to check your bank balance(= to find out how much money you have in your account) 查询银行账户上的结余
4 [C] (technical术语) an instrument used for weighing things 秤；天平
in the balance uncertain 不确定；悬而未决:
Following poor results, the company's future hangs in the balance. 那家公司业绩不好，前途未卜。 (catch/throw sb) off balance (to find or put sb) in a position that is not safe and from which it is easy to fall （发现或令某人）身体失去平衡:
A strong gust of wind caught me off balance and I nearly fell over. 一阵强风吹得我站不稳，差一点儿跌倒。 on balance having considered all sides, facts, etc 总括；考虑到各方面:
On balance, I've had a pretty good year. 总的来说，我这一年的光景不错。 strike a balance (between A and B)→
STRIKE²
*balance²/ˈbæləns ||; ˈbæləns/verb1 [I,T] to be or to put sb/sth in a steady position so that the weight of him/her/it is not heavier on one side than on the other （使）平衡: I had to balance on the top step of the ladder to paint the ceiling. 我必须在梯子顶上站稳来漆天花板。Carefully, she balanced a glass on top of the pile of plates. 她小心地将一个玻璃杯稳放在一迭盘子上。
2 [I,T] to have equal totals of money spent and money received 收支平衡: I must have made a mistake -- the accounts don't balance. 我一定是算错了，账上收支不平衡。She is always very careful to balance her weekly budget. 她总是很小心地保持每星期收支平衡。
3 [I,T] balance (sth) (out) (with sth) to have or give sth equal value, importance, etc in relation to other parts 平等看待: The loss in the first half of the year was balanced out by the profit in the second half. 上半年的亏损由下半年的盈利抵消。
4 [T] balance sth against sth to consider and compare one matter in relation to another 衡量（两方面）: In planning the new road, we have to balance the benefit to motorists against the damage to the environment. 计划建造新路的时候，我们必须权衡驾驶者的利益和对环境的破坏。