French word

bilan

Pronunciation

IPA/bilɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsummary

Example

Voici le bilan de la réunion.

Here is the summary of the meeting.

Illustration for bilan (summary)

More examples

Après la réunion, il faut faire le bilan.

After the meeting, we need to take stock.

Core concept

A concise assessment that gathers key facts and results into a clear overall view.

Common phrases

  • faire le bilan

    take stock

  • bilan de santé

    health checkup results

Similar words

résumé: A brief summary of the essential points in a long text or speech.
synthèse: A unified view formed by organizing several pieces of information or opinions.
compte-rendu: A report that records the content and progress of a meeting or event in order.
récapitulatif: A short list or overview of the main points.

Definition in French

Document ou synthèse qui présente de façon concise les résultats, les conclusions ou les points essentiels d'une action, d'une réunion ou d'une période.

Word origin

French bilan came through Italian bilancio from medieval Latin bilancia, related to Latin bilanx, a two-pan balance, so weighing accounts or results led to the sense of an overall assessment.

Usage tips

  • Bilan is masculine, so standard forms include un bilan and le bilan, and faire le bilan de takes de before the thing being assessed.

Other meanings

  • assessmentnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word