imbalance

noun

im·​bal·​ance (ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)s 

plural imbalances

: lack of balance : the state of being out of equilibrium or out of proportion

a structural imbalance

a chemical imbalance in the brain

"… The talks are aimed at reducing the trade imbalance … between the world`s two largest economic powers. …"

—Norah O'Donnell

A key element of the definition of bullying is a power imbalance that enables the abusive behavior.

—Patricia Vowinkel

Some have suffered an imbalance of gait known as ataxia.

—Lawrence K. Altman

imbalanced

(ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)st 

adjective

Examples of imbalance in a Sentence

Her depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

the problem of racial imbalance in schools

Recent Examples on the Web

Chronic stress has different symptoms:Here's how to spot the them What are the symptoms of a cortisol imbalance? —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024

For years, advocates have urged the city to change that, arguing that ensuring lawyers for low-income renters would correct a power imbalance that occurs in eviction court, where landlords almost always have attorneys while tenants do not. —Paloma Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024

Redistributing passengers and baggage due to a weight imbalance issue is not uncommon, especially on smaller aircrafts. —Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2024

Hormonal belly is a term for abdominal weight gain due to a hormonal imbalance. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

imbalance

noun

im·​bal·​ance (ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s 

: the state of being out of balance or out of proportion

Medical Definition

imbalance

noun

im·​bal·​ance (ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s 

: lack of balance : the state of being out of equilibrium or out of proportion: as

a

: loss of parallel relation between the optical axes of the eyes caused by faulty action of the extrinsic muscles and often resulting in diplopia

b

: absence of biological equilibrium

a vitamin imbalance

if the ductus arteriosus fails to close, a circulatory imbalance results

—E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu

c

: a disproportion between the number of males and females in a population

imbalanced

-ən(t)st 

adjective