balance1/ˋbæləns; ˈbæləns/n 1 [U] when you are able to stand and walk steadily, without falling〔身体的〕平衡: I put my arms out to help me keep my balance . 我伸开双臂让自己保持平衡。Jim lost his balance on the ice. 吉姆在冰上失去了平衡。The blow knocked his opponent off balance . 那一拳打得他的对手失去了平衡。2 [singular 单数, U] when you give the right amount of importance to different things in a sensible way〔不同方面重要性的〕平衡﹐均势﹐均衡: Try to keep a balance between work and play. 工作和娱乐要尽量保持均衡。It's not always easy to strike the right balance . 要想两全其美并不总是很容易。3 [singular 单数, U] when the correct relationship exists between different things [ imbalance ]〔不同方面关系的〕平衡﹐均衡﹐制衡: +between the need to maintain the balance between cost and profit 在成本和利润之间保持平衡的需要+of pesticides that upset the balance of nature 破坏自然界平衡的杀虫剂4 [C] a) the amount of money that you have left to use 结余﹐余额: Can I check my bank balance please? 我可以查一下我的账户余额吗?b) the amount of money that you owe for something 结欠, 欠款: You can pay a deposit now and the balance later. 你可以现在付订金﹐稍后再付余款。5 on balance used to tell someone your opinion after considering all the facts 全面考虑之后﹐总的说来: On balance, I prefer the new system. 总的来说﹐我更喜欢这个新的系统。6 be/hang in the balance if something hangs in the balance, you do not know yet whether the result will be bad or good 悬而未决: The president's future hung in the balance. 总统前途未卜。
balance2v 1 [I,T] to be in a steady position, without falling, or to put something in this position(使)保持平衡﹐(使)平稳: +on Can you balance on one leg? 你能单腿站稳吗?balance sth on sth The woman was balancing a large vase on her head. 那女子头上平稳地顶着一只大花瓶。2 [T] to consider one thing in relation to something else, especially so that you give the right amount of importance to both 权衡﹐比较﹐斟酌: balance sth against sth Our rights have to be balanced against our responsibilities. 我们的权利必须和义务权衡考虑。balance sth and sth It can be hard to balance family life and a career. 家庭生活和事业有时很难兼顾。3 also 又作 balance out [I,T] if two or more things balance, or if one balances the other, the effect of one equals the effect of the other 抵消; 弥补: Job losses in some departments were balanced by increases in others. 有些部门裁员﹐有些部门增加人员﹐正好相抵。4 balance the books/budget to make sure that you do not spend more money than you have 使收支平衡