equilibrium Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a stable situation in which forces cancel one another
  2. noun a chemical reaction and its reverse proceed at equal rates
    chemical equilibrium.
  3. noun equality of distribution
    balance; equipoise; counterbalance.
  4. noun a sensory system located in structures of the inner ear that registers the orientation of the head
    labyrinthine sense; sense of equilibrium; sense of balance; vestibular sense.

WordNet

E`qui*lib"ri*um noun
Etymology
L. aequilibrium, fr. aequilibris in equilibrium, level; aequus equal + libra balance. See Equal, and Librate.
Wordforms
plural E Equilibriums L Equilibria
Definitions
  1. Equality of weight or force; an equipoise or a state of rest produced by the mutual counteraction of two or more forces.
  2. A level position; a just poise or balance in respect to an object, so that it remains firm; equipoise; as, to preserve the equilibrium of the body.
    Health consists in the equilibrium between those two powers. Arbuthnot.
  3. A balancing of the mind between motives or reasons, with consequent indecision and doubt.

Webster 1913