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

As a consequence, the redox equilibrium of the tumor cell is disturbed, leading to an increase in oxidative stress, which kills the tumor cell.

From Science Daily

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

From Salon

Maybe we can give the planet the necessary time to achieve equilibrium.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s going to help us be in a space of equilibrium.

From Los Angeles Times

Arguably, those institutional characteristics—we would say “equilibria”—add a lot of resiliency to our democratic system.

From Salon

Related Words

• calmness
• composure
• serenity
• stability
• symmetry