An instrument for measuring the mass of an object: With a conventional balance, the object is placed in a pan while a known weight is placed in a pan opposite a fulcrum. If the pans are then level, the materials in the two pans are of equal weight.

A periodic summary of difference between a nation's total payments to foreign countries and its receipts from them: The balance of payments is the difference between the money that a country spends on imports and the money received from exports.

The difference in monetary value between a nation's imports and its exports: The balance of trade of a country is good and profitable when the exports surpass its imports.

An instrument used to measure weight; spring scale: The object is placed on a hook attached to the spring balance and the weight is read on a scale.