equilibrium

[ ee-kwuh-lib-ree-uhm, ek-wuh- ]

noun

, plural e·qui·lib·ri·ums, e·qui·lib·ri·a [ee-kw, uh, -, lib, -ree-, uh, ek-w, uh, -].

1. a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces.

   Synonyms: steadiness, stability, equipoise

2. equal balance between any powers, influences, etc.; equality of effect.
3. mental or emotional balance; equanimity:

   The pressures of the situation caused her to lose her equilibrium.

4. Chemistry. the condition existing when a chemical reaction and its reverse reaction proceed at equal rates.

equilibrium

/ ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbrɪəm /

noun

1. a stable condition in which forces cancel one another
2. a state or feeling of mental balance; composure
3. any unchanging condition or state of a body, system, etc, resulting from the balance or cancelling out of the influences or processes to which it is subjected See thermodynamic equilibrium
4. physics a state of rest or uniform motion in which there is no resultant force on a body
5. chem the condition existing when a chemical reaction and its reverse reaction take place at equal rates
6. physics the condition of a system that has its total energy distributed among its component parts in the statistically most probable manner
7. physiol a state of bodily balance, maintained primarily by special receptors in the inner ear
8. the economic condition in which there is neither excess demand nor excess supply in a market

equilibrium

/ ē′kwə-lĭb′rē-əm /

, Plural equilibriums

1. Physics.
   The state of a body or physical system that is at rest or in constant and unchanging motion. A system that is in equilibrium shows no tendency to alter over time.
2. Physics.
   ◆ If a system is in static equilibrium , there are no net forces and no net torque in the system.
3. Physics.
   ◆ If a system is in stable equilibrium , small disturbances to the system cause only a temporary change before it returns to its original state.
4. Chemistry.
   The state of a reversible chemical reaction in which its forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates so that the concentration of the reactants and products remains the same.

equilibrium

¹

1. A condition in which all influences acting cancel each other, so that a static or balanced situation results. In physics , equilibrium results from the cancellation of forces acting on an object. In chemistry , it occurs when chemical reactions are proceeding in such a way that the amount of each substance in a system remains the same. ( See chemical equilibrium .)

equilibrium

²

1. In economics , a state of the economy in which for every commodity or service (including labor), total supply and demand are exactly equal. Equilibrium is never actually attained; it is approximated by movements of the market.

Notes

Keynesian economics departed from conventional economic theory in demonstrating that economic equilibrium and full employment need not occur together. Therefore, as a system tends toward equilibrium, it might not eliminate unemployment.

Other Words From

• e·quil·i·bra·to·ry [ih-, kwil, -, uh, -br, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, ee-kw, uh, -, lib, -r, uh, -, ek-w, uh, -], adjective
• none·qui·libri·um noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of equilibrium¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin aequilībrium, from aequi- equi- + lībr(a) “balance” + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of equilibrium¹

C17: from Latin aequilībrium, from aequi- equi- + lībra pound, balance

Example Sentences

Redondo Beach reached that equilibrium in the first six months of 2024 when the by-name list grew by 65 and 66 people were taken off the street.

From Los Angeles Times

If you were to invent a race with a natural 4-point equilibrium, it might be this one.

From Slate

So do others who threaten the group’s peace and equilibrium.

From Salon

While the average hotel room rents for more than $500 per night, residents scramble for housing and equilibrium.

From Los Angeles Times

With Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, the wars in the Middle East have hit a turning point—though it’s hard to say what direction they’ll now take: toward some uneasy equilibrium or an escalation in the fighting.

From Slate

Related Words

• calmness
• composure
• serenity
• stability
• symmetry