noun

• (uncountable) A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.
  "But civilized man is quite a different animal, and when he wipes out an entire city or levels a forest, he is no longer working within the natural balance of things."
• (uncountable) Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.
• (literally or figuratively) Something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight.
  "These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah."
• (uncountable) Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity.

verb

• (transitive) To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.
• (transitive, figurative) To make (concepts) agree.
  "the Proteus Principle helps to qualify and balance the concepts of narrators and of narrative situations as previously developed in classical studies by G erard Genette and Franz Stanzel."
• (transitive) To hold (an object or objects) precariously; to support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling.
  "I balanced my mug of coffee on my knee."
• (transitive) To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
  "Ballance the Good and Evil of Things."